Can my fear of hearing loss be affecting me?

As one dealing with hearing loss from cancer surgery and a benign acoustic neuroma tumor, I have lived with hearing loss for over 12 years. Tinnitus was the initial sign from the AN. I assume you have seen an ENT and audiologist for hearing tests with normal results, which is a pretty accurate assessment of hearing loss. It is rather amazing how much the brain can be involved in our hearing and the changes we perceive with hearing devices. I would not be surprised that your hearing anxiety could affect what you think you hear (or don't hear). Then it becomes an issue for you to work on with controlling your anxiety. Perhaps a therapist could help with that? I know that anxiety can be a debilitating condition to live with. Good luck and Good Health.

@xm24, how are you doing? May I ask what leads you to fear hearing loss specifically? Do you have a history of hearing loss in your family or have seen someone close to you struggle with hearing loss?

Hello, I'm doing good. Two of the main things that my fear has stemmed from is my grandma's hearing loss, as well as my use of earbuds. I always try to be sure I'm not listening to music too loud when I do use earbuds, but I still get anxious about it.

Did you have to do things differently to communicate with your grandmother than with other adults in your life? I'm guessing the answer is probably 'yes'. I'm also thinking that was challenging and frustrating at times and that you don't want to be like your grandmother.

There are age old stigmas attached to hearing loss. Among them are "S/he doesn't pay attention and has selective hearing", "S/he isn't very smart because she says 'dumb' things in conversation", S/he is antisocial and not very friendly", etc. People in general don't understand that hearing loss removes people from fluid conversation. Sometimes we think we heard something and respond out of context. Sometimes we don't respond at all. And sometimes we get so fatigued by trying to keep up with conversation that we tune out completely.

Just mentioning these few things about acquired hearing loss because it's likely you have anxiety about being like your grandmother and you don't want to be like her that way.

Protect your hearing as best you can. Don't expose yourself to extreme noise without protective devices. And stop worrying about what life would be like if you did have hearing loss. Nearly 20% of the population has some degree of hearing loss. There is help available today that wasn't there 20 years ago. Stay positive.

Are you practicing any stress management exercises?