Anger, Frustration and Resentment Often Accompany Hearing Loss

There are many elements to the feelings experienced by those diagnosed with hearing loss. Anger, frustration and resentment are often at the top of the list and can affect relationships between the diagnosed patients and their families and friends. If the emotions that come with a hearing loss diagnosis are not recognized and worked with, they can isolate and alienate the patient from those they love.

Anger is an emotion felt for a number of reasons and can range from mild irritation to outright rage. Anger felt toward hearing loss can span the same range, from mild irritation at a minor loss to outright rage of full hearing loss in both ears. The anger can be directed outward, toward others close to the patient. It can also be directed inward or at a higher power, for the failing of the body and the loss of the essential human sense of hearing.

Frustration is another emotion often associated with a diagnosis of hearing loss. There is usually a sense of frustration when the ability to hear is degraded to the point of needing hearing aids or surgery to decrease the loss. A greater sense of frustration can be felt if the chosen hearing aids are not as effective as promised or hoped.

Resentment usually runs hand in hand with frustration and anger and usually for the same reasons. Aside from all the reasons for a hearing loss patient to feel anger and frustration, resentment is often directed toward those around the patient who still have their hearing. As is sometimes experienced by those with other physical handicaps, there is a feeling of resentment toward those who are still whole and have no physical or medical defects.

Frustration at the failing of the human body, anger at the physician for a lack of skill to completely reverse the condition or anger toward the cause of the hearing loss, if it stems from outside injury. These are only a few of the emotions experienced by those diagnosed with hearing loss. All emotions experienced should be discussed with the physician or hearing professional and those closest to the patient, family and friends. Often, through many years of case experience, physicians will have the best resources available to the patient to work through their emotions.

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