Denial is a typical first response. Of course, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as advanced as it seems. She’s too young to require a hearing aid.
Maybe, the two of you have started to kid around with each other about it. She is always requesting that you repeat what you said. You laugh about it like it’s simply a game. But this game is getting old quickly. You wonder if she’s just ignoring you or if she may actually be having some legit hearing trouble.
It’s time to be supportive and make certain your loved one gets the care they need to keep living a happy, healthy, active life even into their older age.
Here are 4 common signs that somebody you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She’s more drained than usual especially when you go out
You might believe it’s just a sign of aging. Your loved one really doesn’t have as much energy as they once did. You try to understand when she says that won’t be going out tonight.
Then she starts missing meetings with a hobby group, organization, or club that she’s always loved, even when they meet virtually, and you start to recognize something may be wrong. Your loved one’s energy seems to be depleted by loud environments. This is especially true if they are in a situation where there is more than one conversation happening, or there’s a lot of background noise.
Additional energy is required to hear and understand what people are saying when someone is coping with hearing problems. They often have to draw this energy from other brain functions such as memory, speaking, and moving.
This use of additional energy is actually fatiguing the brain not strengthening it. In social situations, fatigue will often seem to shut your loved one down.
Don’t presume you know what she’s dealing with. Her feelings might be due to numerous factors. But ask questions. Get to the underlying cause and recommend that she get a hearing test.
2. She watches the TV LOUD
Often, you will notice this symptom first. They can’t seem to watch TV or listen to music at a normal volume.
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 blows your ears out. Your neighbors can even hear it.
When you suggest that the TV is too loud, she may laugh and turn it down. But it turns out, she turned closed captions on.
She might not want to acknowledge that she really can’t hear the TV. It’s probably time for you to recommend a hearing exam if this is a frequent thing.
3. She says, “What?”… a lot
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. But you should pay closer attention if this is happening frequently.
Similarly, take notice if she seems to have a lot of trouble hearing when she’s using the phone.
Is she griping about people muttering or talking low constantly? Is she asking people to repeat themselves? It’s time for a compassionate chat about the benefits of hearing aids.
4. You’re feeling a rift in the relationship
Researchers have discovered that couples, where one has hearing loss, have around 50% more quarrels. They may argue about what one of them may or may not have said, the volume of the TV, or other misunderstandings.
When somebody isn’t able to hear, there will be a lot more stress in a household. Their hearing loss is frustrating. And their refusal to get help is stressful to others. This frequently results in people deciding to spend more time alone because of more hurt feelings.
This can lead to irreversible damage to the relationship and the couple frequently doesn’t even comprehend that hearing loss is the reason. Even moderate hearing loss can strain a relationship, so it pays to get it checked out.
Simply getting a hearing test 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 a hearing test.
If someone has hearing loss, hearing aids can change their lives and most will say they would never go back. In fact, they regret they didn’t get them sooner. Their overall quality of life will be greatly improved.
It can be a difficult conversation to have. But the difficulty of this conversation is worth it when your loved one finally finds the help they need.
Call us right away and let us help you with some ideas about how to tackle your loved one’s hearing loss!