It’s a common first response – denial. Surely, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as bad as it seems. She’s too young to need a hearing aid.
Maybe, the both of you have started to joke around with one another about it. She is always asking you to repeat what you said. You joke about it like it’s simply a game. But this game is getting old quickly. You question whether she’s simply ignoring you or if she may actually be having some legit 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 lifestyle well into their senior years.
If somebody you know needs hearing aids they will probably be showing these 4 prevalent symptoms.
1. She seems exhausted, especially in public
You might believe it’s just an indication 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 understand.
You really start to suspect that something isn’t right when she begins skipping meetings with clubs, organizations, and hobby groups she’s always loved. Your loved one’s energy seems to be depleted by loud settings. This is particularly true if they are in a situation where there is more than one discussion going on, or there’s lots of background noise.
Individuals who are struggling to hear put excessive energy toward understanding people around them. They often have to draw this energy from other functions in the brain such as memory, talking, and moving.
Utilizing this extra brainpower doesn’t strengthen the brain; it just makes it tired. Your loved one will often seem to shut down with fatigue in social settings.
Don’t presume you understand what she’s experiencing. Her feelings might be the result of 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
Often, you will identify this symptom first. They can’t seem to watch TV or play music at a healthy volume.
Your living room sounds like a movie theater. You instantly 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 makes you cringe. You can even hear it from outdoors.
She may turn it down when you tell her it’s too loud. Then you realize that she just turned on the captions.
Perhaps she’s embarrassed about it. It’s likely time for you to suggest a hearing test if this is a frequent thing.
3. She says, “What?”… a lot
It might not be a problem if you are in a very loud setting or she’s really focused on something. But you should pay closer attention if this is occurring frequently.
Similarly, take notice if she seems to have a lot of difficulty hearing when she’s using the phone.
Is she constantly annoyed because she thinks people are talking too quietly or muttering? Is she requesting that people repeat themselves? If so, it’s time to have that loving discussion about how much better life is with hearing aids.
4. You’re feeling a rift in the relationship
Researchers have discovered that couples, where one is dealing with hearing loss, have about 50% more quarrels. These arguments may be about TV volume, misconceptions, or what one claims the other person did or didn’t say.
In general, there’s just more stress in a household when someone can’t hear. They get frustrated about their hearing loss. And their refusal to get help is stressful to others. 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 cause, and this can harm 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 test can give you a completely new perspective on your relationship, whether you’re talking about a spouse, sibling, or dear friend. Inspire your loved one to call for an appointment.
If somebody has hearing loss, hearing aids can improve their lives and most will say they would never go back. Usually, they wish they would have done it sooner. They feel happier, healthier, and more energetic.
It isn’t a comfortable talk to have. But when your loved one finally finds the help they need it will all have been worth it.
Call us today and let us help you with some ideas about how to address your loved one’s hearing loss!