People who suffer from untreated hearing loss often find it extremely difficult to participate in social activities, even within their own family. People who have untreated hearing loss report the following:
- Sadness and depression
- Worry and anxiety
- Isolation and withdrawal
- Paranoia
- Less social activity
- Emotional turmoil and insecurity
For those whose hearing loss was treated the reported benefits included:
- Better relationships with their families
- Better feelings about themselves / higher self-esteem
- Improved mental health
- Greater independence and security
About 40% said that their lives had improved in general, that they felt better mentally and they had a higher degree of self-confidence.