Denial is a typical first reaction. Surely, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as advanced as it seems. She’s too young to require a hearing aid.
Perhaps, it’s become a joke between the two of you. She is always requesting that you repeat what you said. You joke about it as if it’s simply a game. But it’s beginning to become less and less humorous. You question whether she’s simply disregarding you or if she might actually be having some genuine hearing trouble.
It’s time to be supportive and make certain your loved one receives the care they need to keep living a happy, healthy, active life well into their senior years.
Here are 4 common indications that someone you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She appears to be exhausted, especially in public
Perhaps you believe that it just ordinarily happens when you get older. Your loved one used to have much more energy. When she says she just doesn’t feel like going out tonight, you try to be patient.
You really start to suspect that something isn’t right when she starts missing meetings with clubs, organizations, and hobby groups she’s always loved. Loud noise seems to sap your loved one’s energy. This is particularly true if they’re in a situation where there is more than one discussion going on, or there’s lots of background noise.
People who are straining to hear put excessive energy toward comprehending those around them. As a result, 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 fatigue in social situations.
Don’t assume you know what she’s experiencing. Her feelings may be attributable to a number of factors. In order to get to the root of the issue, ask her questions and advocate for a hearing assessment.
2. She always cranks the TV up too loud
Frequently, you will identify this symptom first. They can’t seem to watch TV or play music at a normal volume.
Your living room sounds like a cinema. You suddenly get the impulse 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 outside.
When you say that the TV is too loud, she might chuckle and lower the volume. But actually, she turned closed captions on.
She might not want to admit that she really can’t hear the TV. If this is happening a lot, it may be time for you to recommend a hearing assessment.
3. She frequently needs people to repeat what they said
If you’re in a really loud setting like a concert or theater or she’s really focused on a movie, then it may be nothing. If it’s happening more often than that, be aware.
Likewise, take notice if she seems to have a lot of trouble hearing when she’s on the phone.
Is she griping about people muttering or talking low constantly? Does she regularly need people to repeat what they said? If so, it’s time to have that loving conversation about how much more enjoyable life is with hearing aids.
4. You’re feeling a rift in the relationship
Researchers have found that couples, where one is dealing with hearing loss, have about 50% more quarrels. They might 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 stress in a household when someone can’t hear. Their hearing loss is frustrating. 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.
This can cause permanent damage to the relationship and the couple often doesn’t even comprehend that hearing loss is the reason. It’s important to get the proper help because even moderate hearing loss can strain relationships.
Whether it’s a friend, sibling, or partner, you can get new perspective on your relationships by getting a simple hearing test. Encourage your loved one to call for an appointment.
If somebody has hearing loss, hearing aids can change their lives and most will say they would never go back. Typically, they wish they wouldn’t have waited so long. Their general quality of life will be greatly improved.
It isn’t a comfortable discussion to have. But when your loved one finally gets 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!