New year’s resolutions are hard. They can be hard to live up to and you can feel let down when you realize that, even with the best of intentions, you just won’t make it happen. Our resolutions reflect our highest hopes and, all too often by February or March, we realize that we may have, once again, fallen short.
Before committing myself to yet another goal, I think it’s important to take stock of what I thought I would accomplish — but didn’t — last year. I am especially sensitive to goals that I thought would result in better health, better relationships, or just more satisfaction with myself. Most of us sometimes fall short of making meaningful change. Change is difficult.
Change takes more than just a vocalization of our intent to change. Changing behavior is difficult. Looking at the list of new year’s resolutions I thought were no-brainers, I see now that meaningful change requires assistance.
It’s not just verbalizing to ourselves our intent to change. Our friends and family are delighted that we have engaged in some sort of self-reflection and are setting goals to improve ourselves. But to do the work of changing requires support. Our friends and family may find it difficult to hold us accountable for that work, especially when we appear to be going off course.
Holding yourself accountable is a lot easier when you have someone in your life you have charged with holding you accountable. Someone who can check in on your progress and help you keep the goal in sight as you work towards that change.
Each January, I appreciate the folks who show up for hearing evaluations, sheepishly admitting that they are doing this because someone they care about urged them to do something. Starting the process is the first step.
We begin by seeking to understand where exactly hearing loss affects you. We search for the situations where hearing loss changed the way you have experienced a friend or family member, a social event you used to enjoy but no longer feel like attending, or situations where you felt left out. Only when we understand this together can we find the right solution and customize it for you.
Changing how you hear and interact is a challenge. Hearing devices can be set to begin the process slowly and, as the brain adapts to its new normal sound, the goals for clearer hearing and easier understanding are raised. The brain is like a muscle and redevelops capacity to hear again through practice. Meeting the goal of better hearing takes commitment.
Resolving to hear better this year is achievable. But it is much easier with the guidance and support of a hearing care professional. Best of all, we are just a call away. Let us help you hear better this year!