It’s a normal first reaction – denial. Of course, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as bad as it seems. She’s not old enough to need a hearing aid.
Maybe, it’s become a joke between the two of you. She is always asking you to repeat what you said. You joke about it as if it’s just a game. But it’s beginning to become less and less funny. You’re beginning to believe that maybe your partner, sibling, or parent is either ignoring you or really having trouble hearing.
It’s time to be supportive and make certain your loved one receives the care they need to continue to live a happy, healthy, active lifestyle well into their senior years.
If someone you know needs hearing aids they will most likely be showing these 4 common signs.
1. She’s more drained than normal particularly when you go out
You might think it’s just a sign of aging. Your loved one just doesn’t have as much energy as they once did. You try to understand when she says that won’t be going out tonight.
You really begin to think that something isn’t right when she starts 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 especially true.
Extra energy is needed to hear and understand what people are saying when someone is struggling with hearing problems. Consequently, energy is transferred from other essential brain functions like physical movement, memory, and talking.
Utilizing this additional brainpower doesn’t strengthen the brain; it just tires it out. Your loved one will frequently seem to shut down with exhaustion in social situations.
If you aren’t going through the same thing, don’t presume you can relate to what she’s going through. Her feelings might be the result of a number of factors. In order to get to the root of the issue, ask her questions and advocate for a hearing exam.
2. She likes the TV LOUD
Often, you will notice this symptom first. Whenever they listen to music or watch TV, they crank it up really loud.
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 makes you cringe. Your neighbors can even hear it.
She may turn it down when you tell her it’s too loud. Then you realize that she just turned on the captions.
She may not want to acknowledge that she actually can’t hear the TV. It’s likely time for you to suggest a hearing assessment if this is a frequent thing.
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. But you should be mindful if this is happening frequently.
Furthermore, if she’s struggling to hear phone conversations you should pay attention.
Is she griping about people muttering or low-talking constantly? Does she regularly need people to repeat what they said? It’s time for a compassionate chat about the advantages of hearing aids.
4. You’re feeling a rift in the relationship
Couples argue two times as much when one of them is dealing with hearing loss, according to research. These arguments may center around TV volume, misconceptions, or what one claims the other person may or may not have said.
When somebody isn’t able to hear, there will be a lot more stress in a household. They get frustrated about their hearing loss. Others get upset when they won’t get help. This frequently leads to people deciding to spend more time apart due to more hurt feelings.
Many couples don’t recognize that hearing loss is the cause, 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 spouse, you can get new perspective on your relationships by simply getting a hearing test. Encourage your loved one to call for an appointment.
Individuals who realize they need hearing aids and use them say they’d never go back. In fact, they regret they didn’t get them sooner. They feel healthier, happier, and more energetic.
It can be a challenging conversation to have. But the challenge of this discussion is worth it when your loved one finally finds the assistance they need.
Need more practical ideas about how to address your loved one’s hearing loss? Call us today!