It’s a common first reaction – denial. Of course, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as advanced as it seems. She’s too young to need a hearing aid.
Perhaps, it’s become a joke between the two of you. Your loved one constantly asks you to speak up. You joke about it like it’s just a game. But it’s starting to become less and less humorous. You’re starting to think that perhaps your spouse, brother, or parent is either ignoring you or really having trouble hearing.
It’s time to be supportive and make certain your loved one gets the care they need to keep living a happy, healthy, active lifestyle well into their older age.
If someone you know needs hearing aids they will probably be showing these 4 common symptoms.
1. She seems exhausted, especially in public
Maybe you think that it just normally happens when you age. 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 start to suspect that something isn’t right when she begins 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 simultaneously, this is especially true.
People who are struggling to hear put excessive energy toward understanding people around them. They frequently have to pull this energy from other brain functions like memory, talking, and moving.
Utilizing this additional brainpower doesn’t strengthen the brain; it just makes it tired. Your loved one will frequently seem to shut down with exhaustion in social situations.
If you’re not personally experiencing the same thing, don’t assume you can relate to what she’s going through. It may be a mix of things. In order to get to the bottom of the issue, ask her questions and advocate for 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 turn it up really loud.
Your living room sounds like a movie theater. You suddenly get the impulse to make some popcorn, except you realize that she’s just watching a reality show or documentary at a volume that almost blows your ears out. Your neighbors are even able to hear it.
When you say that the TV is too loud, she may chuckle and lower the volume. But it turns out, 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 suggest a hearing assessment if this is a frequent thing.
3. She often needs people to repeat themselves
It might not be a problem if you are in a really loud environment or she’s really zoned in on something. If it’s occurring more often than that, pay attention.
Similarly, take notice if she seems to have a lot of trouble hearing when she’s on the phone.
Is she complaining about people muttering or talking low constantly? Does she regularly need people to repeat what they said? It’s time for a compassionate talk about the advantages 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. They might argue about what one of them may or may not have said, 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 frustrated when they won’t get help. This leads to lots of hurt feelings and decisions to spend more time apart and alone.
This can cause permanent harm to the relationship and the couple frequently doesn’t even recognize that hearing loss is the reason. 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. Speak with your loved one about getting their hearing assessed.
People who recognize 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. They feel healthier, happier, and more active.
It isn’t an easy conversation to have. But the challenge of this discussion is worth it when your loved one finally finds the help they need.
Need more useful ideas about how to handle your loved one’s hearing loss? Call us today!