Personalised Care for People Living with Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a common but often overlooked challenge faced by many, as we age. Much like age-related eyesight decline, it affects millions of people worldwide. And yet, eyesight loss is treated very simply and with a sense of acceptance. Just see an optometrist, get spectacles, and off you go. No stigma, no second thoughts.
Hearing loss deserves the same sense of acceptance and should have come in from the cold, decades ago. Hearing loss, especially age-related hearing loss, is an almost inevitable part of ageing. In this day and age, there really should be no stigma associated with hearing tests and the use of hearing technology.
The ability to hear is integral to communication, connection, relationships, social interaction and overall well-being. When a person suffers from hearing loss, they could become depressed and socially withdrawn, as they find it increasingly difficult to follow conversations happening around them and communicate as effectively as they used to. Addressing hearing loss requires more than just amplifying sound, it calls for a far more personalised care plan and an holistic approach that considers everything that impacts an individual’s auditory health - as well as their mental, cognitive and emotional wellbeing. In this blog, we explain how our team of London audiologists work to treat hearing loss, incorporating key elements such as hearing tests, meditation, mindfulness, cognitive training, and the important relationship between cognitive function and hearing health.
Step 1: Consultation & Discovery
One of the first steps in any effective hearing loss treatment plan is a thorough hearing and ear health assessment. Hearing tests by our skilled, experienced audiologists provide a detailed understanding of your hearing ability. These tests evaluate both the sensitivity and clarity of hearing, making it possible for our audiologists to tailor treatment plans to your specific needs. Our approach at The Well Being BY CUBEX goes deeper than simply assessing your hearing ability. Since hearing loss can significantly affect communication, at your Consultation & Discovery Session, we explore how you are experiencing communication challenges, and what this means to you and your closest communication partners - your family and loved ones. We invite you to bring your spouse or a close family member along with you to this first, most crucial consultation. We take the time to listen, and get to know you. If you are having difficulty with cognition, or if your mental and emotional wellbeing has been affected by your hearing loss, we take that into consideration too - and offer treatment solutions.
London Audiologists, Leaders in Auditory Care
Marylebone, London is home to a professional team of leading world-class audiologists, The Well Being BY CUBEX, who have specialised in diagnosing and treating hearing loss since 1964. Seeking the expertise of an audiologist ensures access to the very latest hearing technology and highly personalised care. Our team of professionals guide individuals through the entire process, from initial assessments, to recommending hearing technology (hearing aids), to assessing and treating cognitive and mental wellbeing - all of which is included in our personalised hearing healthcare plan for you.
Meditation and Mindfulness for Auditory Wellness
Beyond traditional treatments, holistic approaches are becoming recognised as the key to the mind-body connection. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can play a crucial role in managing the psychological aspects of hearing loss. These guided practices will help with relaxation, reduce stress, and improve your overall sense of wellbeing.
Cognitive Training + Hearing Loss:
Recent studies have shown a strong correlation between cognitive function and hearing. Engaging in cognitive training exercises not only sharpens mental faculties but will often also contribute to improved auditory processing for patients with hearing challenges. This dual benefit highlights the importance of addressing cognitive decline that could occur simultaneously with hearing loss, and it underscores the need for a more comprehensive, holistic, personalised and, therefore, far more effective treatment approach.
Understanding the Link between Cognitive Function and Hearing Health
As mentioned, cognitive decline and hearing loss are often flip sides of the same coin. Struggling to hear and process auditory information can lead to increased cognitive load, potentially accelerating cognitive decline, as the brain has to work that much harder to process sound. Conversely, addressing hearing loss can positively impact cognitive function, highlighting the importance of an integrated approach to maintaining brain health as we age.
A holistic, personalised approach to hearing loss treatment recognises the multifaceted nature of what our patients are experiencing in their daily lives. Suffering from hearing loss can be a daunting, frustrating experience, often affecting far more people than the patient themselves, as it also impacts family and friends - and many other important relationships. Beyond hearing tests and the expertise of our team of London based audiologists, integrating meditation, mindfulness, cognitive training and even nutritional interventions can significantly enhance the overall well-being of individuals who are living with impaired hearing. By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of hearing loss, we pave the way for a more fulfilling and connected life, embracing the beauty of sound and silence alike - helping you to approach life with grace, ease and a sense of feeling supported.