Denial is a typical first reaction. My loved one must be simply making it seem as if their hearing loss is worse than it really is. She’s not old enough for a hearing aid.
Maybe, it’s become a joke between both of you. She is always requesting that you repeat what you said. You laugh about it like it’s simply a game. But this game is getting old fast. You question whether she’s just disregarding you or if she may actually be having some genuine hearing trouble.
It’s time to be supportive and make sure your loved one receives the care they need to keep living a happy, healthy, active life even into their older age.
If somebody you know needs hearing aids they will most likely be exhibiting these 4 common signs.
1. She’s more drained than usual especially when you go out
You might think it’s just an indication of getting older. Your loved one used to have much more energy. When she says she just doesn’t feel like going out tonight, you try to be patient.
Then she starts missing 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. Your loved one’s energy seems to be exhausted by loud settings. This is especially true if they are in a situation where there’s more than one discussion happening, or there’s lots of background noise.
People who are struggling to hear put excessive energy toward comprehending those around them. They often have to pull this energy from other brain functions like memory, talking, and moving.
This use of extra energy is actually exhausting the brain not strengthening it. In social situations, exhaustion will often seem to shut your loved one down.
Don’t presume you understand what she’s dealing with. It could be a mix of things. But ask questions. Get to the root cause and recommend that she gets her hearing aid discovery tested.
2. She always cranks the TV up really loud
This is often one of the first signs that you might perceive in another person. They can’t seem to watch TV or listen to music at a healthy volume.
You walk into the room, and it sounds like you’ve just entered a theater. You feel like you should make some popcorn, but it’s just your loved one blowing your ears out with the TV. You can even hear it from outdoors.
She might turn it down when you tell her it’s too loud. Then you realize that she just switched on the captions.
Perhaps she’s embarrassed about it. If this is happening a lot, it might be time for you to recommend a hearing aid discovery test.
3. She says, “What?”… a lot
If you’re in a really loud environment like a concert or theater or she’s really focused on a movie, then it might be nothing. But you should pay closer attention if this is occurring frequently.
Furthermore, if she’s straining to hear phone conversations you should take note.
Is she complaining about people mumbling or low-talking constantly? Is she requesting that people repeat themselves? It’s time for a compassionate chat about the benefits of hearing aids.
4. You’re feeling a tension in the relationship
Researchers have discovered that couples, where one is dealing with hearing loss, have about 50% more arguments. These quarrels might be about TV volume, misconceptions, or what one says the other person did or didn’t say.
In general, there’s just more tension in a household when someone can’t hear. They get aggravated about their hearing loss. And their refusal to get help is frustrating to others. This leads to lots of hurt feelings and decisions to spend more time apart or alone.
Many couples don’t realize that hearing loss is the cause, and this can damage their relationship irreparably. It’s important to get the proper help because even moderate hearing loss can strain relationships.
The simple act of getting a hearing exam can give you a totally new perspective on your relationship, whether you’re dealing with a spouse, sister, or dear friend. Encourage your loved one to schedule an appointment.
People who discover they need hearing aids and use them say they’d never go back. In fact, they regret they waited so long to get them in the first place. They feel healthier, happier, and more energetic.
It can be a difficult talk to have. But the difficulty of this discussion is worth it when your loved one finally finds the assistance they need.
Need more helpful ideas about how to handle your loved one’s hearing loss? Call us right away!