It’s a common first response – denial. My loved one must be simply making it seem like their hearing loss is more severe than it actually is. She’s not old enough to need a hearing aid.
It’s possible, the both of you have begun to joke around with each other about it. Your loved one always asks you to repeat yourself. You joke about it as if it’s just a game. But it’s beginning to become less and less funny. You wonder if 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 gets the care they need to keep living a happy, healthy, active life well into their older age.
Here are 4 prevalent indications that someone you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She seems exhausted, particularly in public
Maybe you think that it just normally occurs when you age. Your loved one used to have a lot more energy. You try to understand when she says that won’t be going out tonight.
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 begin to realize something may be wrong. Your loved one’s energy seems to be exhausted by loud environments. If there is lots of background noise, or if more than one conversation is taking place simultaneously, this is particularly true.
People who are straining to hear put excessive energy toward understanding those around them. Consequently, energy is transferred from other important brain functions like physical mobility, memory, and speaking.
Using this additional brainpower doesn’t strengthen the brain; it just makes it tired. Your loved one will often seem to shut down with exhaustion in social settings.
If you’re not personally experiencing the same thing, don’t assume you can relate to what she’s going through. Her feelings might be due to a number of factors. In order to get to the bottom of the issue, ask her questions and advocate for a hearing assessment.
2. She always turns the TV up really loud
Frequently, you will identify this symptom first. They can’t seem to watch TV or play music at a normal volume.
You walk into the room, and it sounds like you’ve just entered a movie theater. You instantly get the impulse to make some popcorn, except you find that she’s just watching a reality show or documentary at a volume that almost makes you cringe. You can even hear it from outside.
She might turn it down when you tell her it’s too loud. But it turns out, she turned closed captions on.
She might not want to admit that she actually can’t hear the TV. If this is occurring a lot, it may be time for you to suggest a hearing exam.
3. She often needs people to repeat what they said
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. If it’s happening more frequently than that, be aware.
Also, if she’s straining to hear phone conversations you should pay attention.
Is she always aggravated because she thinks people are talking too quietly or mumbling? Is she requesting that people repeat themselves? It’s time for a compassionate chat about the advantages of hearing aids.
4. Your relationship is feeling tense
Researchers have found that couples, where one is dealing with hearing loss, have around 50% more quarrels. These arguments may be about TV volume, misconceptions, or what one says the other person may or may not have said.
Overall, there’s just more tension in a household when somebody can’t hear. Their hearing loss is stressful. Others get upset when they won’t get help. This frequently leads to people choosing to spend more time apart due to more hurt feelings.
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.
Whether it’s a friend, sibling, or partner, you can get new perspective on your relationships by simply getting a hearing test. Inspire your loved one to call for an appointment.
People who recognize they need hearing aids and wear them say they’d never go back. In fact, they regret they waited so long to get them in the first place. Their general quality of life will be greatly enhanced.
It’s not an easy conversation to have. But the difficulty of this discussion is worth it when your loved one finally gets the help they need.
Need more useful ideas about how to address your loved one’s hearing loss? Call us today!