It’s a normal first reaction – denial. My loved one must be simply making it seem like their hearing loss is worse than it actually is. She’s not old enough to need a hearing aid.
Perhaps, it’s become a joke between the two of you. She is always asking you to repeat what you said. It’s only a game. You joke about it. But this game is getting old quickly. You wonder if she’s simply ignoring you or if she might actually be having some genuine hearing trouble.
It’s time to be supportive and make sure your loved one receives the care they need to continue to live a happy, healthy, active life well into their older age.
Here are 4 prevalent signs that someone you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She’s more tired than usual especially when you go out
You may think it’s simply an indication of aging. Your loved one used to have a lot more energy. When she says she just doesn’t feel like going out tonight, you try to understand.
You really start to suspect that something isn’t right when she starts missing meetings with clubs, organizations, and hobby groups she’s always enjoyed. Loud noise seems to deplete your loved one’s energy. This is particularly true if they are in a situation where there’s more than one discussion happening, or there’s lots of background noise.
Extra energy is needed to hear and comprehend what people are saying when someone is coping with hearing problems. They frequently have to draw this energy from other functions in the brain like memory, talking, and moving.
This use of additional energy is actually exhausting the brain not strengthening it. In social settings, exhaustion will often seem to shut your loved one down.
If you’re not going through the same thing, don’t assume you can relate to what she’s dealing with. Her feelings might be the result of a number of factors. But ask questions. Get to the underlying cause and suggest that she get a hearing test.
2. She likes the TV LOUD
This is frequently one of the first indications that you might notice in another person. Whenever they listen to music or watch TV, they crank it up very loud.
Your living room sounds like a cinema. You instantly 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. You can even hear it from outside.
When you suggest that the TV is too loud, she might laugh and lower the volume. But it turns out, she turned closed captions on.
Maybe she’s embarrassed about it. If this is happening a lot, it may be time for you to recommend a hearing test.
3. She says, “What?”… a lot
It may not be a problem if you are in a very loud environment or she’s really focused on something. But you should pay closer attention if this is occurring frequently.
Also, if she’s straining to hear phone calls you should take note.
Is she constantly aggravated because she thinks people are talking too quietly or mumbling? Does she regularly 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 found 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.
When someone isn’t able to hear, there will be a lot more stress in a household. They get frustrated about their hearing loss. And their refusal to seek out help is frustrating to others. This frequently leads to people deciding to spend more time apart due to more hurt feelings.
Many couples don’t realize that hearing loss is the trigger, and this can damage their relationship irreparably. It’s important to get the proper help because even moderate hearing loss can strain relationships.
Simply getting a hearing exam can give you a completely new perspective on your relationship, whether you’re talking about a spouse, sibling, or dear friend. Encourage your loved one to call for an appointment.
People who recognize they need hearing aids and use them say they’d never go back. As a matter of fact, they regret they waited so long to get them in the first place. They feel healthier, happier, and more energetic.
It can be a challenging talk to have. But when your loved one finally finds the help they require it will all have been worth it.
Call us today and let us help you with some ideas about how to tackle your loved one’s hearing loss!
