It’s a normal first reaction – denial. My loved one must be just making it seem like their hearing loss is worse than it actually is. She’s not old enough for a hearing aid.
Maybe, the two of you have started to kid around with each other about it. Your loved one constantly asks you to speak up. It’s just a game. You joke about it. But it’s starting to become less and less humorous. You question whether she’s simply disregarding you or if she might actually be having some legit hearing trouble.
It’s time to be supportive and make certain your loved one receives the care they need to keep living a happy, healthy, active lifestyle well into their older age.
If somebody you know needs hearing aids they will probably be showing these 4 prevalent signs.
1. She’s more tired than usual particularly when you go out
You may think it’s simply a sign of getting older. Your loved one really doesn’t have as much energy as they once did. When she says she isn’t feeling like going out tonight, you try to understand.
Then she begins missing meetings with a hobby group, organization, or club that she’s always loved, even when they meet virtually, and you begin to realize something could be wrong. Your loved one’s energy seems to be drained by loud environments. This is particularly true if they’re in a situation where there is more than one discussion happening, or there’s lots of background noise.
Additional energy is needed to hear and comprehend what people are saying when someone is struggling with hearing problems. They frequently have to pull this energy from other brain functions like memory, talking, and moving.
This use of extra energy is actually exhausting the brain not strengthening it. Your loved one will frequently seem to shut down with fatigue in social situations.
Don’t assume you know what she’s experiencing. Her feelings may be due to a number of factors. But ask questions. Get to the underlying cause and recommend that she get a hearing test.
2. She likes the TV LOUD
Frequently, you will identify this symptom first. Whenever they listen to music or watch TV, they crank it up very loud.
Your living room sounds like a movie 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. Your neighbors are even able to hear it.
She may turn it down when you tell her it’s too loud. But actually, she turned on closed captions.
Perhaps she’s ashamed about it. It’s likely time for you to recommend a hearing assessment if this is a frequent thing.
3. She says, “What?”… a lot
It might not be a problem if you are in a very loud setting or she’s really zoned in on something. If it’s occurring more frequently than that, pay attention.
Also, if she’s straining to hear phone conversations you should pay attention.
Is she always annoyed because she thinks people are speaking too quietly or muttering? Is she asking people to repeat themselves? If so, it’s time to have that loving conversation about how much more enjoyable 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. These quarrels may be about TV volume, misconceptions, or what one says the other person did or didn’t say.
Overall, there’s just more stress in a household when someone can’t hear. They get aggravated about their hearing loss. Others get frustrated when they won’t go in for help. This brings about lots of hurt feelings and decisions to spend more time apart and alone.
This can lead to irreversible damage to the relationship and the couple frequently doesn’t even realize that hearing loss is the cause. It’s important to get the proper help because even moderate hearing loss can strain relationships.
Whether it’s a friend, sibling, or spouse, you can get new perspective on your relationships by simply getting a hearing test. Speak with your loved one about getting their hearing assessed.
Individuals who realize they need hearing aids and wear them say they’d never go back. Usually, they wish they wouldn’t have waited so long. They feel happier, healthier, and more energetic.
It’s not a comfortable discussion to have. But the challenge of this conversation is worth it when your loved one finally gets the assistance they need.
Need more helpful ideas about how to handle your loved one’s hearing loss? Call us right away!