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Being diagnosed with hearing impairment can bring about major changes in your lifestyle with regards to the way you socialize and communicate. While at first, you may feel uncomfortable being around people due to your condition, as reported by the Hearing Loss Association of America, 60% of individuals with hearing impairments are active members of the workforce in all areas from business to education, pointing to the fact that your impairment is no barrier towards living the best life you can.
If you’re currently struggling to cope with your hearing impairment diagnosis, this article explores three ways you can build confidence, overcome stress and feel yourself again.
Create a Strong Social Circle
To make the idea of socializing less intimidating, start spending a greater amount of time with people you feel comfortable with, which can include friends, family, colleagues, etc. Call them over for visits, or make a plan to visit your favorite restaurant. With them by your side, you’ll feel less stress communicating with strangers and venturing outdoors. Additionally, if you struggle to understand what others are saying, you’ll have someone who will help you without the fear of judgment.
As reported by Better Sleep, having a strong social circle provides various mental health benefits such as:
- Alleviation of stress
- Better sleeping habits
- Reduction in feelings of isolation and loneliness
Moreover, consider joining a social support group. Being a part of a group will expose you to the experiences of others facing the same difficulties and learn the steps to overcome them. It also provides you with an environment where others can emphasize what you share and create opportunities to make new friends.
Invest Time in Hobbies
Succeeding your diagnosis, you may find yourself investing most of your time focusing on your impairment and its effect on your life. While taking stock of your situation is a good first step towards making changes, consistently dwelling over the same situation will lead to feelings of stress and loss of motivation.
At this point, it’s important to find an outlet that helps you divert your mind and channel energy towards something which provides you a sense of fulfillment. The perfect candidate for this is a hobby, such as exercising, sketching, meditating, writing, dancing, etc. As reported by Women’s Health, pursuing a hobby can develop better control over one’s mood, reduce stress and increase self-worth.
Challenge Yourself!
A common barrier that individuals with hearing impairment face are the feeling that they are defined by their condition, which ultimately becomes a major defining aspect of their personality. To overcome this feeling, challenge yourself to move outside your comfort zone and achieve the goals you set for yourself. And what better challenge can one take than starting a business!
Yes, this may sound daunting at first, but it is easier than you think. With the rise of technology and the internet, it’s become easy for anyone to sell a product or service online. If you find yourself lacking in digital skills there are numerous free resources online, allowing you to learn at your convenience.
When thinking of what you can sell, look for ways to leverage your professional skills or convert your hobby into a business. Some business ideas to consider include:
- Selling handmade products
- Starting a dropshipping service
- Becoming a business consultant
- Selling specialized services such as copywriting, graphic design, bookkeeping, translation, tutoring, etc.
In addition to coping with your diagnosis, the above-mentioned steps will help you develop the confidence to be independent and pursue the goals you set for yourself.
Visit the Hearing Loss Blog for more tips and resources on living with hearing loss.
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