It’s a normal first reaction – denial. My loved one must be simply making it seem as if their hearing loss is worse 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. Your loved one always asks you to speak up. You laugh about it like it’s simply a game. But this game is getting old quickly. You’re starting to think that maybe your partner, sibling, or parent is either dismissing you or really having trouble hearing.
It’s time to be supportive and make certain your loved one gets the care they need to continue to live a happy, healthy, active life well into their senior years.
If someone you know needs hearing aids they will most likely be exhibiting these 4 common symptoms.
1. She appears to be fatigued, especially in public
You may believe it’s simply a sign of aging. Your loved one used to have much more energy. When she says she isn’t feeling like going out tonight, you try to understand.
You really begin to think that something isn’t right when she starts missing meetings with clubs, organizations, and hobby groups she’s always enjoyed. Your loved one’s energy seems to be depleted by loud environments. If there is a lot of background noise, or if more than one conversation is happening at the same time, this is especially true.
Individuals who are straining to hear put excessive energy toward understanding those around them. They often have to pull 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 settings, exhaustion will often seem to shut your loved one down.
Don’t presume you know what she’s experiencing. Her feelings may be attributable to a number of factors. But ask questions. Get to the underlying cause and recommend that she get a hearing test.
2. She watches the TV LOUD
This is frequently one of the first indications that you may identify in another person. Whenever they play music or watch TV, they turn it up very loud.
You walk into the room, and it sounds like you’ve just walked into a theater. You feel like you should have some popcorn, but it’s just your loved one blowing your ears out with the TV. You can even hear it from outside.
When you suggest that the TV is too loud, she might laugh and turn it down. But actually, she turned closed captions on.
She might not want to admit that she actually can’t hear the TV. It’s probably time for you to recommend a hearing test if this is a regular thing.
3. She often needs people to repeat themselves
It may not be an issue if you are in a really loud environment or she’s really zoned in on something. If it’s occurring more frequently than that, pay attention.
Likewise, pay attention if she seems to have a lot of difficulty hearing when she’s using the phone.
Is she griping about people mumbling or talking low constantly? Does she frequently need people to repeat what they said? If so, it’s time to have that loving chat about how much better life is with hearing aids.
4. Your relationship is feeling tense
Researchers have found 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.
In general, there’s just more tension in a household when someone can’t hear. Their hearing loss is frustrating. Others get upset when they won’t get help. This brings about lots of hurt feelings and decisions to spend more time apart and alone.
This can lead to permanent harm to the relationship and the couple frequently doesn’t even realize 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 talking about a spouse, sibling, or dear friend. Encourage your loved one to schedule an appointment.
If somebody has hearing loss, hearing aids can change their lives and most will state they would never go back. Usually, they wish they would have done it sooner. They feel healthier, happier, and more energetic.
It can be a difficult conversation to have. But when your loved one finally finds the help they require it will all have been worth it.
Call us today and let us help you with some ideas about how to tackle your loved one’s hearing loss!
