Denial is a typical first response. Of course, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as advanced as it seems. She’s too young to require a hearing aid.
Maybe, it’s become a joke between the two of you. Your loved one constantly asks you to repeat yourself. You joke about it as if it’s just a game. But it’s starting to become less and less funny. You’re starting to think that maybe your partner, sibling, or parent is either ignoring you or actually having difficulty hearing.
It’s time to be supportive and make sure your loved one gets the care they need to continue to live a happy, healthy, active lifestyle well into their older age.
Here are 4 common indications that somebody you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She’s more tired than normal particularly when you go out
You might believe it’s simply an indication of aging. Your loved one just doesn’t have as much energy as they once did. You try to relate when she says that won’t be going out tonight.
You really begin to suspect that something isn’t right when she starts skipping meetings with clubs, organizations, and hobby groups she’s always loved. Loud noise seems to sap your loved one’s energy. This is especially true if they are in a situation where there’s more than one conversation happening, or there’s a lot of background noise.
Individuals who are straining to hear put excess energy toward comprehending those around them. They often have to draw this energy from other functions in the brain like memory, talking, and moving.
Utilizing this additional brainpower doesn’t strengthen the brain; it just tires it out. In social situations, exhaustion will often seem to shut your loved one down.
Don’t assume you know what she’s dealing with. It could be a combination of things. But ask questions. Get to the base cause and recommend that she gets her hearing tested.
2. She always turns the TV up really loud
This is often one of the first indications that you may notice in another person. They can’t seem to watch TV or play music at a normal volume.
Your living room sounds like a cinema. You suddenly get the urge to make some popcorn, except you realize 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.
When you say that the TV is too loud, she may laugh and turn it down. But it turns out, she turned on closed captions.
Maybe she’s embarrassed about it. It’s probably time for you to suggest a hearing exam if this is a frequent thing.
3. She says, “What?”… a lot
If you’re in a really loud setting like a concert or theater or she’s really concentrated on a movie, then it might be nothing. If it’s happening more often than that, pay attention.
Furthermore, if she’s struggling to hear phone calls you should take note.
Is she griping about people muttering or talking low constantly? Does she regularly need people to repeat what they said? If so, it’s time to have that loving chat about how much more enjoyable life is with hearing aids.
4. You’re feeling a rift in the relationship
Researchers have found that couples, where one is dealing with hearing loss, have around 50% more quarrels. They might argue about what one of them may or may not have said, the volume of the TV, or other misunderstandings.
Overall, there’s just more tension in a household when somebody can’t hear. Their hearing loss is stressful. And their refusal to get help is stressful to others. This brings about lots of hurt feelings and decisions to spend more time apart and alone.
Many couples don’t realize that hearing loss is the trigger, and this can damage their relationship irreparably. Even moderate hearing loss can strain a relationship, so it pays to get it checked out.
Whether it’s a friend, sibling, or partner, you can get new perspective on your relationships by getting a simple hearing test. Talk to 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. In fact, they regret they didn’t get them sooner. They feel healthier, happier, and more active.
It can be a challenging talk to have. But when your loved one finally gets the help they need it will all have been worth it.
Need more practical ideas about how to handle your loved one’s hearing loss? Call us right away!
