Denial is a common first response. My loved one must be simply making it seem as if their hearing loss is more severe than it actually is. She’s not old enough to need a hearing aid.
Maybe, it’s become a joke between the two of you. She is always asking you to repeat what you said. You laugh about it like it’s just a game. But this game is getting old fast. You wonder if she’s just ignoring you or if she might actually be having some genuine hearing trouble.
You want your loved one to have a balanced, active, and joyful life for many years so it’s likely time to be encouraging and help them find the correct help.
Here are 4 prevalent signs that someone you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She seems fatigued, especially in public
Perhaps you believe that it just ordinarily occurs when you get older. Your loved one used to have a lot more energy. When she says she isn’t feeling like going out tonight, you try to be patient.
You really begin to think that something isn’t right when she begins skipping meetings with clubs, organizations, and hobby groups she’s always enjoyed. Loud noise seems to drain 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.
Extra energy is required to hear and comprehend what people are saying when someone is dealing with hearing problems. They frequently have to pull this energy from other brain functions like memory, talking, and moving.
This use of additional energy is actually fatiguing the brain not strengthening it. In social settings, fatigue will often seem to shut your loved one down.
If you aren’t personally experiencing the same thing, don’t presume you can relate to what she’s dealing with. It may be a combination of things. But ask questions. Get to the base cause and recommend that she get a hearing test.
2. She always cranks the TV up too loud
Frequently, you will identify this symptom first. They can’t seem to watch TV or listen to music at a healthy volume.
Your living room sounds like 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 can even hear it.
When you suggest that the TV is too loud, she might chuckle and turn it down. Then you notice that she just switched on the captions.
She may not want to admit that she really can’t hear the TV. It’s likely time for you to recommend a hearing exam if this is a regular thing.
3. She often needs people to repeat what they said
If you’re in a really loud setting like a concert or movie theater or she’s really focused on a movie, then it may be nothing. If it’s occurring more frequently than that, be aware.
Furthermore, if she’s struggling to hear phone conversations you should pay attention.
Is she constantly annoyed because she thinks people are speaking too low or muttering? Is she asking people to repeat themselves? It’s time for a compassionate talk about the benefits of hearing aids.
4. You’re feeling a rift in the relationship
Couples argue two times as much when one of them has hearing loss, according to research. They may argue about what one of them did or didn’t say, the volume of the TV, or other misconceptions.
When someone can’t hear, there will be a lot more tension in a household. They get frustrated about their hearing loss. And their refusal to seek out help is frustrating to others. This leads to lots of hurt feelings and decisions to spend more time apart or alone.
This can lead to irreversible damage to the relationship and the couple frequently doesn’t even recognize that hearing loss is the cause. 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 getting a simple hearing test. Encourage your loved one to call for 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 didn’t get them sooner. Their general quality of life will be significantly enhanced.
It isn’t a comfortable discussion to have. But when your loved one finally finds the help they need it will all have been worth it.
Need more useful ideas about how to address your loved one’s hearing loss? Call us today!
