Denial is a common first response. Of course, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as bad as it seems. She’s too young to need a hearing aid.
It’s possible, the both of you have begun to kid around with each other about it. She is always requesting that you repeat what you said. You laugh about it like it’s just a game. But it’s starting to become less and less humorous. You’re starting to believe that perhaps your spouse, sibling, or parent is either ignoring you or actually having difficulty hearing.
You want your loved one to have a balanced, active, and happy life for years to come so it’s probably time to be encouraging and help them seek out the appropriate help.
If somebody you know needs hearing aids they will most likely be exhibiting these 4 common signs.
1. She’s more drained than usual particularly when you go out
Maybe you believe that it just normally happens when you age. Your loved one really doesn’t have as much energy as they used to. When she says she isn’t feeling like going out tonight, you try to be patient.
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. Loud noise seems to sap your loved one’s energy. This is especially true if they are in a situation where there is more than one discussion happening, or there’s lots of background noise.
Individuals who are straining to hear put excess energy toward comprehending people around them. They frequently have to draw this energy from other functions in the brain such as memory, speaking, and moving.
Using this additional brainpower doesn’t strengthen the brain; it just makes it tired. Your loved one will often seem to shut down with exhaustion in social settings.
Don’t assume you know what she’s dealing with. Her feelings might be attributable to numerous factors. In order to get to the root of the problem, ask her questions and advocate for a hearing exam.
2. She watches the TV LOUD
Often, you will identify this symptom first. They can’t seem to watch TV or play music at a healthy volume.
Your living room sounds like a movie theater. You suddenly 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.
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.
Maybe she’s ashamed about it. If this is occurring a lot, it may be time for you to recommend a hearing test.
3. She frequently needs people to repeat themselves
If you’re in a really loud setting like a concert or theater or she’s really focused on a movie, then it may be nothing. But you should be mindful if this is happening often.
Furthermore, if she’s straining to hear phone calls you should pay attention.
Is she constantly frustrated because she thinks people are speaking too low or muttering? Is she requesting that people repeat themselves? It’s time for a compassionate talk about the advantages of hearing aids.
4. Your relationship is feeling strained
Researchers have revealed that couples, where one has hearing loss, have around 50% more arguments. They may argue about what one of them did or didn’t say, the volume of the TV, or other misconceptions.
When somebody can’t hear, there will be much more stress in a household. Their hearing loss is frustrating. Others get upset when they won’t go in for help. This often leads to people deciding to spend more time apart due to more hurt feelings.
Many couples don’t realize that hearing loss is the trigger, 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 partner, you can get new perspective on your relationships by getting a simple hearing test. Encourage your loved one to call for an appointment.
If somebody has hearing loss, hearing aids can improve their lives and most will say they would never go back. Usually, they wish they would have done it sooner. They feel happier, healthier, and more active.
It can be a difficult talk to have. But when your loved one finally finds the help they require it will all have been worth it.
Need more useful ideas about how to handle your loved one’s hearing loss? Call us right away!