It’s a common first response – denial. Of course, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as bad as it seems. She’s too young to require a hearing aid.
It’s possible, the two of you have begun to kid around with each other about it. She is always asking you to repeat what you said. It’s only a game. You joke about it. But this game is getting old quickly. You question whether she’s simply disregarding you or if she may actually be having some legit hearing trouble.
It’s time to be supportive and make sure your loved one receives 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 most likely be exhibiting these 4 common signs.
1. She’s more tired than usual particularly when you go out
You might think it’s just an indication of getting older. Your loved one used to have much more energy. You try to understand when she says that won’t be going out tonight.
You really start to think that something isn’t right when she begins missing meetings with clubs, organizations, and hobby groups she’s always loved. Your loved one’s energy seems to be exhausted by loud settings. 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 required to hear and comprehend what people are saying when somebody is coping with hearing issues. As a result, energy is transferred from other essential brain functions like physical movement, memory, and speaking.
Using this additional brainpower doesn’t strengthen the brain; it just tires it out. In social situations, fatigue will often seem to shut your loved one down.
Don’t assume you know what she’s dealing with. It could be a combination of things. In order to get to the root of the problem, ask her questions and advocate for a hearing assessment.
2. She always turns the TV up really loud
This is often one of the first signs that you might perceive in another person. They can’t seem to watch TV or listen to music at a normal volume.
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. You can even hear it from outdoors.
She might turn it down when you tell her it’s too loud. Then you realize that she just switched on the captions.
Perhaps she’s ashamed about it. If this is happening a lot, it may be time for you to recommend a hearing exam.
3. She says, “What?”… a lot
If you’re in a really loud setting like a concert or theater or she’s really concentrated on a movie, then it might be nothing. But you should be mindful if this is occurring frequently.
Likewise, pay attention if she seems to have a lot of difficulty hearing when she’s using the phone.
Is she constantly annoyed because she thinks people are speaking too low or muttering? Is she asking people to repeat themselves? If so, it’s time to have that loving chat about how much more enjoyable life is with 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 misconceptions.
In general, there’s just more tension in a household when somebody can’t hear. They get frustrated about their hearing loss. And their refusal to get help is frustrating to others. This often leads to people deciding to spend more time alone due to more hurt feelings.
This can lead to irreversible harm to the relationship and the couple frequently doesn’t even realize that hearing loss is the cause. Even moderate hearing loss can strain a relationship, so it pays to get it checked out.
The simple act of getting a hearing exam can give you a completely new perspective on your relationship, whether you’re talking about a spouse, sibling, or dear friend. Speak with your loved one about getting their hearing assessed.
People who discover they need hearing aids and use them say they’d never go back. As a matter of fact, they regret they didn’t get them sooner. They feel healthier, happier, and more active.
It’s not a comfortable talk to have. But when your loved one finally finds the help they need it will all have been worth it.
Call us right away and let us help you with some ideas about how to tackle your loved one’s hearing loss!