It’s a normal first response – denial. Of course, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as advanced as it seems. She’s not old enough to need a hearing aid.
Perhaps, it’s become a joke between both of you. Your loved one always asks you to repeat yourself. You laugh about it as if it’s simply a game. But it’s beginning to become less and less humorous. You question whether she’s just ignoring you or if she may actually be having some legit hearing trouble.
You want your loved one to have a balanced, energetic, and joyful life for many years so it’s likely time to be supportive and help them seek out the appropriate help.
Here are 4 prevalent signs that somebody you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She appears to be exhausted, especially in public
Perhaps you believe that it just ordinarily 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 she’s not going out tonight.
Then she begins missing meetings with a hobby group, organization, or club that she’s always enjoyed, even when they get together virtually, and you start to realize something could be wrong. Your loved one’s energy seems to be depleted by loud settings. If there is a lot of background noise, or if more than one conversation is happening simultaneously, this is especially true.
People who are struggling to hear put excessive energy toward comprehending people around them. They frequently have to draw this energy from other functions in the brain such as memory, talking, 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 assume you know what she’s dealing with. Her feelings might be the result of 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 likes the TV LOUD
This is frequently one of the first indications that you may identify in another person. They can’t seem to watch TV or listen to music at a normal volume.
You walk into the room, and it sounds like you’ve just walked into a theater. 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 makes you cringe. You can even hear it from outdoors.
She might turn it down when you tell her it’s too loud. But actually, she turned closed captions on.
Perhaps she’s embarrassed about it. If this is occurring a lot, it may be time for you to suggest a hearing assessment.
3. She says, “What?”… a lot
If you’re in a really loud environment like a concert or movie theater or she’s really focused on a movie, then it might be nothing. If it’s occurring more frequently than that, be aware.
Similarly, take notice if she seems to have a lot of difficulty hearing when she’s on the phone.
Is she constantly annoyed because she thinks people are speaking too low or mumbling? Does she regularly need people to repeat what they said? It’s time for a compassionate talk about the advantages of hearing aids.
4. You’re feeling a rift in the relationship
Researchers have revealed that couples, where one has hearing loss, have around 50% more quarrels. They might argue about what one of them did or didn’t say, the volume of the TV, or other misunderstandings.
When someone isn’t able to hear, there will be a lot more stress in a household. Their hearing loss is frustrating. Others get upset when they won’t get help. This often leads to people choosing to spend more time apart due to more hurt feelings.
Many couples don’t recognize that hearing loss is the cause, and this can damage 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 spouse, you can get new perspective on your relationships by simply getting a hearing test. Inspire your loved one to schedule an appointment.
Individuals who realize they need hearing aids and wear them say they’d never go back. In fact, they regret they waited so long to get them in the first place. Their overall quality of life will be greatly improved.
It can be a challenging talk to have. But the challenge of this discussion is worth it when your loved one finally gets the assistance they need.
Call us today and let us help you with some ideas about how to tackle your loved one’s hearing loss!