Advances in hearing technology help keep us connected.
By Katie Koebel
Those struggling with hearing loss may experience other challenges beyond difficulty hearing. For instance, hearing loss can result in a person withdrawing from social interactions.
This is where digital hearing tools can act as allies to reduce isolation. Technology has adapted to today’s needs and can help people struggling with hearing loss regain and retain their social connections.
The Social Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss
Untreated hearing loss can have varying effects on a person’s social life, particularly among older adults. Strained hearing can make it difficult to follow a conversation and require more energy to stay focused, which can quickly tire someone out.
A few common scenarios on how untreated hearing loss can impact an individual's social life include avoiding answering the phone, increasing the volume on the TV, which can make it too loud for others, and struggling to keep up in group settings such as at family dinners.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and/or balance issues can also indicate a hearing loss. So can asking someone to repeat themselves, getting words mixed up during conversation, and talking loudly yourself. Some people with hearing loss realize they monopolize conversations so that they do not have to address not being able to fully understand what other people are saying.
These realities don’t happen overnight, and hearing loss often slowly progresses. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the early signs, as they can help guide people to the proper treatment.
How Digital Hearing Tools Can Help
Digital tools are innovations that help improve sound delivery to the ear, making conversations easier to follow and enhancing sound quality in noisy environments. From hearing aids and captioning apps to hearing loops and Auracast broadcast systems, these tools leverage technology and provide features to support social connection, such as:
Hearing aids: speech enhancement and noise reduction to separate speech from background noises for easier communication.
Captioning apps: real-time transcription during in-person conversations or lectures.
Loops and Auracast: audio delivered directly to hearing aids already optimized for your hearing.
In addition, wearable devices, such as vibrating wristbands and smartwatches, can provide notifications for a doorbell or a phone ringing, and smart doorbells such as the Ring provide live camera feeds to monitor who is at the front door.
Reconnecting Through Technology
By improving access to sound and clarity in everyday settings, digital hearing tools can help people feel more comfortable in social situations. Individuals who are able to make use of digital tools can resume social activities, like catching up with a grandchild on a video call, attending a community event, and having dinner out with friends.
Digital hearing tools do more than improve hearing because they reconnect people to the moments that matter most. If you or someone you know has noticed changes in hearing, or are experiencing tinnitus or balance issues, or is beginning to withdraw from social settings, it may be time to consider a hearing test.
In addition, if you’re at high risk of hearing damage such as from working in a noisy setting, it is advisable to have your hearing checked regularly and advocate for proper hearing protection in your workplace. Taking action can help support long-term social and emotional health.
Disclaimer: This is not professional medical advice. Please consult a hearing care specialist to address your unique needs. Katie Koebel, M.Cl.Sc., is an audiologist and the senior manager of audiology at HearingLife, hearing clinics in Canada.
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Digital hearing tools can act as allies to reduce isolation. Technology has adapted to today’s needs and can help people struggling with hearing loss regain and retain their social connections.