Navigating Change, Managing Social Isolation, and Handling Stress During COVID-19 feat. Dr. Laura Camus

About The Hearing Matters Podcast

The Hearing Matters Podcast discusses hearing technology (more commonly known as hearing aids), best practices, and a growing national epidemic - Hearing Loss. The show is hosted by father and son - Blaise Delfino, M.S. - HIS and Dr. Gregory Delfino, CCC-A. Blaise Delfino and Dr. Gregory Delfino treat patients with hearing loss at Audiology Services, located in Bethlehem, Nazareth, and East Stroudsburg, PA.

On this episode, the Hearing Matters Podcast welcomes Dr. Laura Camus from L&S Consulting Group. You might remember Laura was on our podcast November of 2019 to share her story.  Laura has normal hearing sensitivity but difficulty understanding speech in noise. Laura now wears Oticon OPN S 1 hearing aids, but before she had her hearing technology, she experienced isolation and depression due to undiagnosed hearing issues.

We are in a time right now with COVID-19, winter, and the holidays where isolation and depression are severe concerns for all of us, but this is especially true for people with hearing issues, especially undiagnosed hearing issues. According to the American Academy of Audiology's research, we know that untreated hearing loss can have serious emotional and social consequences for people, especially older people. When hearing loss or hearing issues go untreated, people are more likely to feel isolated, sad, and depressed. Additionally, people may feel more agitated and also feel like others are often mad at them.

With that being said, how can people and businesses manage change during thee uncertain times? 

• We need to recognize that each of us responds to change in our unique way and at our own pace. 
• We need to recognize how we feel about the change 
• Identify what we can do 
• Focus on the benefits of those things rather than on the losses 
• Understand the risks of not changing 

How can we cope with the changes we are all currently experiencing?

1.) It's healthy and helpful to acknowledge how we feel. Talk about your feelings and avoid forcing yourself to feel happy just because the holidays are here. 

2.) Reach out to people. Technology helps us to stay connected when we feel lonely or isolated.

• Call a friend, text, email, or use social media. 
• There are also tools such as Facetime and Zoom that can help us have a more personal interaction through a video call. 

3.)  Be realistic about what can and can't happen this year. Think about ways to adapt our traditions. For example, if a holiday family party is how you catch up with extended family, could you find a creative way to do a picture and letter exchange and then follow-up with a video call? 

4.) Try to put aside differences and be understanding if someone else gets upset. Everyone is experiencing stress this year, and it helps if we don't take it personally. 

5.)  Create and stick to healthy habits 

6.) If you feel depressed and can't seem to shake it on your own, please seek out professional help. 

If you need to talk to some immediately ab