Denial is a common first response. Of course, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as advanced as it seems. She’s too young 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 laugh about it like it’s just a game. But it’s beginning to become less and less humorous. You question whether she’s simply disregarding you or if she may actually be having some genuine hearing trouble.
You want your loved one to have a balanced, active, and happy life for years to come so it’s probably time to be supportive and help them find the correct help.
If someone you know needs hearing aids they will probably be showing these 4 common signs.
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 she’s not going out tonight.
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. Loud noise seems to sap 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.
Individuals who are straining to hear put excess energy toward understanding those around them. As a result, energy is transferred from other important brain functions like physical mobility, memory, and speaking.
This use of extra energy is actually exhausting the brain not strengthening it. In social situations, fatigue will often seem to shut your loved one down.
If you aren’t going through the same thing, don’t assume you can relate to what she’s going through. It may be a combination of things. In order to get to the bottom of the issue, ask her questions and advocate for a hearing test.
2. She watches the TV LOUD
This is often one of the first indications that you might notice in another person. They can’t seem to watch TV or play music at a healthy volume.
You go into the room, and it sounds like you’ve just walked into a theater. You suddenly 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 blows your ears out. You can even hear it from outside.
She may turn it down when you inform her it’s too loud. Then you notice that she just turned on the captions.
Perhaps she’s ashamed about it. If this is happening a lot, it may be time for you to recommend a hearing assessment.
3. She says, “What?”… a lot
It might not be an issue if you are in a very loud environment or she’s really zoned in on something. If it’s happening more frequently than that, pay attention.
Also, if she’s straining to hear phone calls you should take note.
Is she griping about people muttering or low-talking constantly? Does she frequently need people to repeat what they said? If so, it’s time to have that loving chat about how much better life is with hearing aids.
4. You’re feeling a tension in the relationship
Researchers have found that couples, where one is dealing with hearing loss, have about 50% more quarrels. These arguments may center around TV volume, misconceptions, or what one says the other person did or didn’t say.
When somebody can’t hear, there will be much more stress in a household. They get frustrated about their hearing loss. Others get frustrated when they won’t go in for help. This leads to lots of hurt feelings and decisions to spend more time apart or 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.
Simply getting a hearing exam can give you a completely new perspective on your relationship, whether you’re dealing with a spouse, sibling, or dear friend. Talk to your loved one about getting their hearing assessed.
If someone has hearing loss, hearing aids can change their lives and most will say they would never go back. As a matter of fact, they regret they waited so long to get them in the first place. They feel happier, healthier, and more energetic.
It can be a difficult talk to have. But when your loved one finally gets 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!