Reconnect With Your World: The Power of Hearing Well

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by Marie-Josée Taillefer

The slogan “Reconnect With Your World” emphasizes a meaningful verb: “reconnect.” It implies rediscovering, finding something that was once lost or forgotten. It’s followed by the idea of “world.” What is yours made of? Your friends and family, your acquaintances, and the faces you see every day, of course. But your world is also your habits, your hobbies, your interests, those big and small pleasures that make your life so rich. The solitude often brought by hearing loss disconnects you from that, and breaking that isolation reconnects you to a world you may have left behind—one that’s certainly worth reviving. The Trap of Voluntary Solitude

At some point, we’ve all felt like we’ve lost control over a situation or that things have gotten out of hand. Whether it’s by personal choice or a change of circumstances, we sometimes find ourselves far from our comfort zones. That change can cause fear and confusion and may lead some to develop bad habits to cope. Hearing loss is a reality that can be hard for many people to accept. Some people choose to hide it rather than talk about it. They go out less often and start avoiding their friends and families. It can seem like a less uncomfortable solution because they don’t have to face their condition whenever they see other people. But in reality, they’re isolating and depriving themselves of an essential ingredient for happiness: time with loved ones. As humans, withdrawing from others is hard on our mental health. We need to communicate and connect. Our relationships are critical to our emotional health. They’re a source of energy that helps reduce anxiety, manage our worries, and keep our brains active and creative! They’re even a driver of our physical wellness, since they encourage us to take care of ourselves. People with hearing loss can benefit from talking about it with their loved ones, who can often be amazing guides toward change.

Listening to Your Needs

With the support of others, we are encouraged to turn over a new leaf and see a hearing health professional. Then comes the evaluation, followed by solutions and changes to our routine. We need to welcome this transition lighthearted and with an open mind. Once we’ve taken the first steps, we enter an adjustment period. Let’s give ourselves time to acclimate. We, Quebecers, are particularly resilient and adaptable. After all, we live with four wildly different seasons, each of which brings new steps, new challenges, new realities. Although we often have some reserves, we always adapt and overcome them, one day at a time. We may not be ready to see the first snowflakes, but then we revel in the beautiful landscape it creates. We hope the heatwaves will be mild, then enjoy the sunshine they bring. Learning to Reach Out and Welcome Guidance

Listening, understanding, and caring for those around us are powerful motivators. Our loved ones are an important part of our team. They’re there to guide our decisions and help us follow through with starting things like consulting a health professional. Our well-being is their priority, and they want to be there for us. Hearing-impaired people can benefit from being open to advice and recommendations. Hearing loss is often gradual, so it may not be obvious to the person living with it. That makes the people around them an invaluable reference point. “Reconnect With Your World” speaks to the idea of unions, reunions, and working with others. “Reconnecting” means getting back in touch with your health and well-being. And your “world”, that important place where you can recharge your batteries through little pleasures like talking and listening to others.

Marie-Josée Taillefer

Ambassador of the Lobe Clinics and Hearing Health