Loneliness related to hearing loss: Its causes, effects, and remedies. Samuel Trychin, Ph.D.

Transcription

1 Loneliness related to hearing loss: Its causes, effects, and remedies Samuel Trychin, Ph.D.

2 Two fundamental survival tasks 1. Avoid harmful/painful stimuli 2. Approach beneficial/replenishing stimuli Question: Which of the two has greater need for an immediate response?

3 Requirements for both approach and avoidance A. Physiological systems to detect stimuli. B. Ability to react quickly without thought-reflexes. C. Ability to profit from experience-to learn. D. Ability to remember significant stimuli/events.

4 External events most critical for survival are social interactions Babies Children Adolescents Adults Alley Oop Senior citizens

5 Built-in physiological mechanisms Babies Smiles and oxytocin/dopamine Mirror neurons Electromagnetic energy Pain pathways

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8 Effects of social disconnection or Embarrassment loss Shame Social/reproductive value

9 Social pain Overt rejection Passive ostracism Reactions: Attack: Anger, irritation Withdraw: Fear/anxiety

10 Social pain Neural pathway Correlation with physical pain Genetic factor Social support influence

11 Social pain long term effects Cortisol/ADHD Early abuse/neglect/teasing Difficulty learning social rules/mores Increases tendency to self-isolate

12 Social anxiety and social phobia Reactions Benefits Costs

13 Loneliness Depression Morbidity Mortality

14 Basic cause(s) of social retreat 1. Failure to manage communication situations 2. Failure to manage emotional reactivity

15 Treatments to prevent/reduce social retreat/loneliness 1. Must learn effective communication behaviors 2. Must include communication partners (next slide) 3. Must learn to manage emotional reactivity

16 YOU

17 Examples of effective communication behaviors Guidelines for the person speaking (CP) Guidelines for the person listening (PwHL) Other effective communication behaviors: Informing Reminding Modeling Reinforcing

18 Types of Reactions Physical Behavioral Emotional Cognitive Social Trychin, 2001

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20 High Anger Anxiety Fear Excitement Elation Happiness Cortosol Sadness Depression Hopelessness Relaxation Contentment Calmness DHEA

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22 Most effective method Peer group sessions that meet frequently for two hours each time. Limit to 12 people Focus on current problem situations and their resolution.

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24 Need for some guidelines at the outset 1. Only one person speaks at a time. 2. The person speaking uses the microphone. 3. Everyone gets an equal opportunity to speak. 4. Answer only the question asked. 5. Inform the person speaking as soon as you are aware that you are not understanding what is being said. 6. Treat each other with respect and kindness.

25 Managing emotional reactivity 1. Focus on physical/emotional/cognitive reactions 2. Focus on specific triggers in arousing situations 3. Practice some deep breathing method 4. Engage in some stress management procedure, e.g., yoga, meditation, muscle relaxation, heartmath, etc.

26 The Line Use the Ida Tools The Box

27 The Line 1. How important is it for you to? How willing are you to do what it takes to achieve X? How confident are you that you are able to? 0 10

28 Line example Problem: Roger does not wear his hearing aids at work. Roger indicates that understanding what is said at work is very important about a 9 on the Line. Roger indicates that he is motivated to do what is required to understand better at work about an 8. Roger indicates that he is not sure that he is able to do what is required to understand better at work about a 4.

29 The Box Behavior/attitude Status Quo Change Costs Benefits

30 The Box Behavior/attitude: Not wearing hearing aids at work Status Quo Change Costs Understand less well People will know Make mistakes Battery costs Coworkers irritated Physical discomfort Boss unhappy Hear background noise Benefits People don t know Understand better Less hearing aid hassle Improved performance More pocket money Better coworker relations Hear less noise Management happier