It’s a common first reaction – denial. My loved one must be simply making it seem like their hearing loss is worse than it actually is. She’s not old enough to need a hearing aid.
It’s possible, the two of you have begun to kid around with each other about it. She is always requesting that you repeat what you said. It’s only a game. You joke about it. But this game is getting old quickly. You’re beginning to think that maybe your spouse, sibling, or parent is either dismissing you or really having trouble hearing.
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 even into their older age.
Here are 4 common signs that somebody you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She’s more drained than normal especially when you go out
Perhaps you think that it just normally occurs when you get older. 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 be patient.
You really start to think that something isn’t right when she starts skipping meetings with clubs, organizations, and hobby groups she’s always loved. Loud noise seems to drain your loved one’s energy. If there is a lot 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 understanding people around them. As a result, energy is taken from other important brain functions like physical mobility, memory, and speaking.
Utilizing this extra brainpower doesn’t strengthen the brain; it just makes it tired. Your loved one will often seem to shut down with fatigue in social settings.
Don’t assume you understand what she’s dealing with. Her feelings might be attributable to a number of factors. But ask questions. Get to the underlying cause and suggest that she get a hearing test.
2. She always turns the TV up too loud
This is often one of the first signs that you might notice in another person. Whenever they play music or watch TV, they crank it up very loud.
Your living room sounds like a movie theater. You feel like you should make some popcorn, but it’s just your loved one blowing your ears out with the TV. Your neighbors are even able to hear it.
She might turn it down when you inform her it’s too loud. But actually, she turned closed captions on.
She may not want to admit that she really can’t hear the TV. It’s probably time for you to recommend a hearing exam if this is a frequent thing.
3. She frequently needs people to repeat themselves
It may not be an issue if you are in a really loud environment or she’s really zoned in on something. If it’s happening more frequently than that, be aware.
Likewise, take notice if she seems to have a lot of trouble hearing when she’s using the phone.
Is she always aggravated because she thinks people are speaking too low or mumbling? Does she regularly need people to repeat what they said? If so, it’s time to have that loving chat about how much better life is with hearing aids.
4. You’re feeling a tension in the relationship
Couples argue twice as much when one of them has hearing loss, according to research. These quarrels may be about TV volume, misconceptions, or what one claims the other person did or didn’t say.
In general, there’s just more stress in a household when somebody can’t hear. Their hearing loss is frustrating. And their refusal to get help is frustrating to others. This often results in people choosing to spend more time apart because of more hurt feelings.
Many couples don’t recognize that hearing loss is the cause, and this can harm 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 spouse, you can get new perspective on your relationships by simply getting a hearing test. Inspire your loved one to schedule an appointment.
Individuals who discover they need hearing aids and wear them say they’d never go back. Normally, they wish they wouldn’t have waited so long. Their overall quality of life will be significantly enhanced.
It isn’t a comfortable conversation to have. But the challenge of this conversation is worth it when your loved one finally finds the assistance they need.
Need more useful ideas about how to address your loved one’s hearing loss? Call us today!