It’s a normal first response – denial. Surely, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as advanced as it seems. She’s not old enough to need a hearing aid.
Maybe, it’s become a joke between the two of you. Your loved one always asks you to speak up. You joke about it like it’s simply a game. But this game is getting old fast. You’re beginning to think that perhaps your spouse, sibling, or parent is either ignoring you or actually having difficulty hearing.
It’s time to be supportive and make certain your loved one gets the care they need to keep living a happy, healthy, active lifestyle well into their older age.
If somebody you know needs hearing aids they will most likely be exhibiting these 4 common symptoms.
1. She appears to be exhausted, particularly in public
You may think it’s simply a sign of getting older. Your loved one used to have a lot more energy. When she says she isn’t feeling like going out tonight, you try to understand.
You really start to think that something isn’t right when she begins skipping meetings with clubs, organizations, and hobby groups she’s always loved. 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 particularly true.
Extra energy is needed to hear and comprehend what people are saying when someone is coping with hearing issues. As a result, energy is transferred from other essential brain functions like physical movement, memory, and speaking.
Using this additional brainpower doesn’t strengthen the brain; it just makes it tired. In social settings, fatigue will often seem to shut your loved one down.
Don’t assume you know what she’s experiencing. It could be a combination of things. But ask questions. Get to the base cause and recommend that she get a hearing test.
2. She always turns the TV up too loud
Frequently, you will notice this symptom first. Whenever they play music or watch TV, they turn it up very loud.
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. Your neighbors are even able to hear it.
She may turn it down when you tell her it’s too loud. Then you realize that she just switched on the captions.
Maybe she’s ashamed about it. It’s likely time for you to recommend a hearing assessment if this is a regular thing.
3. She says, “What?”… a lot
It may not be a problem if you are in a really loud environment or she’s really focused on something. But you should pay closer attention if this is occurring frequently.
Furthermore, if she’s straining to hear phone conversations you should pay attention.
Is she complaining about people mumbling or low-talking constantly? Does she frequently need people to repeat what they said? It’s time for a compassionate chat about the benefits of hearing aids.
4. Your relationship is feeling tense
Researchers have revealed that couples, where one has hearing loss, have around 50% more arguments. They may 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 frustrating. And their refusal to get help is stressful to others. This often results in people deciding to spend more time alone due to more hurt feelings.
This can cause permanent damage to the relationship and the couple often doesn’t even realize that hearing loss is the reason. 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. Inspire your loved one to schedule an appointment.
If someone has hearing loss, hearing aids can improve their lives and most will say they would never go back. Usually, they wish they wouldn’t have waited so long. They feel healthier, happier, and more active.
It isn’t an easy talk to have. But when your loved one finally finds the help they need it will all have been worth it.
Need more practical ideas about how to address your loved one’s hearing loss? Call us right away!
