Denial is a typical first response. My loved one must be just making it seem like their hearing loss is worse than it really is. She’s not old enough to need a hearing aid.
Maybe, the two of you have started to joke around with each other about it. She is always requesting that you repeat what you said. You joke about it as if it’s just a game. But this game is getting old fast. You wonder if she’s just disregarding you or if she may actually be having some genuine 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 senior years.
If somebody you know needs hearing aids they will probably be exhibiting these 4 prevalent signs.
1. She seems fatigued, particularly in public
You might believe it’s just an indication of aging. Your loved one really doesn’t have as much energy as they once did. When she says she just doesn’t feel like going out tonight, you try to understand.
You really start to suspect that something isn’t right when she starts missing meetings with clubs, organizations, and hobby groups she’s always enjoyed. Loud noise seems to deplete your loved one’s energy. If there is lots of background noise, or if more than one conversation is happening simultaneously, this is particularly true.
People who are straining to hear put excessive energy toward comprehending people around them. As a result, energy is taken from other important brain functions like physical movement, memory, and speaking.
Using this extra 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 experiencing. It may be a mix of things. But ask questions. Get to the base cause and recommend that she get a hearing test.
2. She always cranks the TV up too loud
Frequently, you will identify this symptom first. They can’t seem to watch TV or play music at a healthy volume.
You go into the room, and it sounds like you’ve just entered a theater. You suddenly get the impulse to make some popcorn, except you find 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 suggest that the TV is too loud, she might chuckle and lower the volume. Then you realize that she just switched on the captions.
Perhaps she’s ashamed about it. If this is happening a lot, it might be time for you to suggest a hearing assessment.
3. She says, “What?”… a lot
If you’re in a really loud setting like a concert or movie theater or she’s really focused on a movie, then it may be nothing. But you should pay closer attention if this is occurring often.
Likewise, take notice if she seems to have a lot of trouble hearing when she’s on the phone.
Is she always annoyed because she thinks people are speaking too low or muttering? Does she frequently need people to repeat what they said? If so, it’s time to have that loving conversation about how much better life is with hearing aids.
4. You’re feeling a rift in the relationship
Researchers have revealed that couples, where one has hearing loss, have around 50% more quarrels. These arguments might be about TV volume, misunderstandings, or what one says the other person may or may not have said.
Overall, there’s just more stress in a household when someone can’t hear. They get frustrated about their hearing loss. And their refusal to get help is frustrating to others. This frequently leads to people deciding to spend more time apart because of more hurt feelings.
This can lead to irreversible harm to the relationship and the couple often doesn’t even comprehend 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 partner, you can get new perspective on your relationships by getting a simple hearing test. Speak with your loved one about getting a hearing test.
If someone has hearing loss, hearing aids can change their lives and most will say they would never go back. Normally, they wish they would have done it sooner. They feel healthier, happier, and more energetic.
It isn’t a comfortable talk to have. But the challenge of this conversation is worth it when your loved one finally finds the assistance they need.
Need more practical ideas about how to handle your loved one’s hearing loss? Call us right away!