It’s a common first response – denial. Of course, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as bad as it seems. She’s too young to require a hearing aid.
Perhaps, it’s become a joke between the two of you. She is always requesting that you repeat what you said. You joke about it like it’s just a game. But it’s starting to become less and less funny. You’re beginning to believe that maybe your spouse, sibling, or parent is either dismissing you or actually having trouble hearing.
It’s time to be supportive and make sure your loved one gets the care they need to keep living a happy, healthy, active life even into their senior years.
If somebody you know needs hearing aids they will most likely be exhibiting these 4 prevalent signs.
1. She’s more drained than usual particularly when you go out
You may believe it’s simply a sign of aging. Your loved one just doesn’t have as much energy as they once did. When she says she isn’t feeling like going out tonight, you try to be patient.
Then she starts skipping meetings with a hobby group, organization, or club that she’s always loved, even when they get together virtually, and you start to recognize something could be wrong. Loud noise seems to drain your loved one’s energy. If there is a lot of background noise, or if more than one conversation is taking place simultaneously, this is especially true.
Individuals who are struggling to hear put excessive energy toward comprehending those around them. Consequently, energy is transferred from other essential brain functions like physical mobility, memory, and speaking.
This use of additional energy is actually fatiguing the brain not strengthening it. In social situations, fatigue will often seem to shut your loved one down.
Don’t assume you understand what she’s dealing with. Her feelings might be due to numerous factors. But ask questions. Get to the root cause and recommend that she get a hearing test.
2. She always turns the TV up really loud
This is often one of the first signs that you may notice in another person. Whenever they listen to music or watch TV, they turn it up really loud.
Your living room sounds like a movie theater. You suddenly get the urge to make some popcorn, except you find that she’s just watching a reality show or documentary at a volume that almost blows your ears out. Your neighbors are even able to hear it.
She may turn it down when you tell her it’s too loud. Then you notice that she just turned on the captions.
Maybe she’s embarrassed about it. If this is happening a lot, it might be time for you to recommend a hearing assessment.
3. She frequently needs people to repeat themselves
If you’re in a really loud setting like a concert or theater or she’s really focused on a movie, then it might be nothing. If it’s happening more often than that, pay attention.
Likewise, pay attention if she seems to have a lot of difficulty hearing when she’s on the phone.
Is she griping about people mumbling or talking low constantly? Is she asking people to repeat themselves? If so, it’s time to have that loving discussion about how much better life is with hearing aids.
4. Your relationship is feeling tense
Couples argue twice as much when one of them is dealing with hearing loss, according to research. These quarrels might be about TV volume, misunderstandings, or what one claims the other person may or may not have said.
In general, there’s just more tension in a household when someone can’t hear. They get aggravated about their hearing loss. Others get upset when they won’t get help. This leads to lots of hurt feelings and decisions to spend more time apart and alone.
Many couples don’t recognize that hearing loss is the trigger, and this can harm their relationship irreparably. It’s important to get the proper help because even moderate hearing loss can strain relationships.
Whether it’s a friend, sibling, or partner, you can get new perspective on your relationships by simply getting a hearing test. Speak with your loved one about getting a hearing test.
If somebody has hearing loss, hearing aids can improve their lives and most will state they would never go back. Normally, they wish they wouldn’t have waited so long. Their overall quality of life will be greatly enhanced.
It can be a difficult talk to have. But when your loved one finally finds the help they require it will all have been worth it.
Call us right away and let us help you with some ideas about how to tackle your loved one’s hearing loss!