Relational Connectivity & Why it Matters

With Christmas and New Year’s behind us, we’re now free to forward-think to the next holiday — Valentine’s Day. Although traditional celebration of this holiday benefits retailers, they’re not the only ones who avail. Statistical evidence supports the idea that being connected to those around you, supports your overall well-being. So we stand on the idea that relational connectivity matters, and here’s why:

1. Increased mental stability. The National Council on Aging conducted a nationwide survey with 4,000 adults who were living with untreated hearing loss. Among respondents, the Council found higher rates of psychological conditions including anxiety and depression. In addition, untreated hearing loss can trigger increased outbursts of anger, frustration, embarrassment and lower self-confidence among both children and adults. It is important to note that as aging adults may begin to experience hearing loss, periods of grieving are common.
2. Balanced sociability. Maslow said it best himself that at our very core, our strongest needs are physiological, safety and a sense of belonging. When someone is living with untreated hearing loss, even the most basic daily tasks can be exhausting to try to obtain, so you can only imagine how one might feel when it comes to doing anything more. That’s where we all hope those closest to us — our friends and family — would step in. We hope that they would call to check-in on us and periodically drop-by the house. But how would you react if that didn’t happen? And what if depression, anxiety and isolation are all roadblocks to making that initial phone call and asking for help?
3. Stronger family connectivity. People that have family members who are living with untreated hearing loss, commonly experience sadness, frustration and annoyance. On the flip-side, those suffering with untreated hearing loss have increased chances of isolating themselves from everyone around them, with the family-unit being no exception. After choosing to treat hearing loss, however, a recent study found that 73 percent of individuals with hearing loss, and 41 percent of their relatives, believed their family relationships improved once they started wearing hearing aids.