It’s a common first reaction – denial. My loved one must be just making it seem as if their hearing loss is worse than it actually is. She’s not old enough for a hearing aid.
Perhaps, it’s become a joke between both of you. Your loved one constantly asks you to repeat yourself. It’s only a game. You joke about it. But it’s beginning to become less and less humorous. You’re starting to think that perhaps your partner, sibling, or parent is either ignoring you or actually having trouble hearing.
It’s time to be supportive and make sure your loved one receives the care they need to keep living a happy, healthy, active lifestyle even into their senior years.
Here are 4 prevalent signals that someone you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She seems exhausted, especially in public
Perhaps you think that it just normally occurs when you get older. 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.
You really begin 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. If there is lots of background noise, or if more than one conversation is taking place at the same time, this is especially true.
People who are struggling to hear put excess energy toward comprehending people around them. As a result, energy is transferred from other important brain functions like physical movement, memory, and talking.
Using 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 settings.
Don’t presume you understand what she’s experiencing. Her feelings might be due to a number of factors. In order to get to the root of the problem, ask her questions and advocate for a hearing test.
2. She watches the TV LOUD
This is frequently one of the first indications that you might identify in another person. They can’t seem to watch TV or play music at a normal volume.
You walk into the room, and it sounds like you’ve just entered a movie theater. You feel like you should make some popcorn, but it’s just your loved one blowing your ears out with the TV. Your neighbors are even able to hear it.
She may turn it down when you inform her it’s too loud. But it turns out, she turned on closed captions.
She may not want to acknowledge that she really can’t hear the TV. It’s likely time for you to suggest a hearing exam if this is a frequent thing.
3. She often needs people to repeat what they said
It might not be a problem if you are in a very loud environment or she’s really zoned in on something. But you should pay closer attention if this is happening frequently.
Furthermore, if she’s struggling to hear phone conversations you should take note.
Is she always annoyed because she thinks people are speaking too low or mumbling? Does she frequently need people to repeat what they said? It’s time for a compassionate talk about the benefits of hearing aids.
4. Your relationship is feeling strained
Couples argue two times as much when one of them is dealing with hearing loss, according to research. These quarrels might be about TV volume, misunderstandings, or what one claims the other person may or may not have said.
Overall, there’s just more stress in a household when somebody can’t hear. They get frustrated about their hearing loss. Others get upset when they won’t go in for help. This brings about lots of hurt feelings and decisions to spend more time apart or alone.
Many couples don’t realize that hearing loss is the trigger, and this can harm 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 partner, you can get new perspective on your relationships by simply getting a hearing test. Inspire your loved one to schedule an appointment.
People who realize they need hearing aids and wear 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. Their overall quality of life will be greatly enhanced.
It’s not an easy talk to have. But the challenge of this discussion is worth it when your loved one finally gets the help they need.
Need more practical ideas about how to handle your loved one’s hearing loss? Call us today!