Denial is a common first response. My loved one must be simply making it seem like their hearing loss is more severe than it really is. She’s too young to require a hearing aid.
Perhaps, it’s become a joke between the two of you. She is always asking you to repeat what you said. You laugh about it as if it’s just a game. But this game is getting old fast. You’re beginning to believe that maybe your partner, brother, or parent is either dismissing you or actually having trouble hearing.
It’s time to be supportive and make sure your loved one receives the care they need to continue to live a happy, healthy, active lifestyle even into their senior years.
Here are 4 prevalent indications that somebody you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She’s more tired than normal especially when you go out
Maybe you think that it just ordinarily occurs when you get older. Your loved one used to have much more energy. When she says she just doesn’t feel like going out tonight, you try to understand.
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 drained by loud settings. This is particularly true if they’re in a situation where there’s more than one discussion going on, or there’s a lot of background noise.
Additional energy is needed to hear and understand what people are saying when someone is struggling with hearing issues. They frequently have to pull this energy from other brain functions like memory, speaking, and moving.
This use of extra energy is actually exhausting the brain not strengthening it. In social situations, exhaustion will often seem to shut your loved one down.
Don’t assume you know what she’s experiencing. It could be a combination of things. In order to get to the bottom of the problem, ask her questions and advocate for a hearing exam.
2. She likes the TV LOUD
This is often one of the first signs that you may identify in another person. Whenever they play music or watch TV, they turn it up really 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 can even hear it.
When you suggest that the TV is too loud, she might chuckle and lower the volume. But actually, she turned closed captions on.
She may not want to acknowledge 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 says, “What?”… a lot
It may not be a problem if you are in a very loud environment or she’s really zoned in on something. But you should be mindful if this is happening frequently.
Similarly, pay attention if she seems to have a lot of difficulty hearing when she’s using the phone.
Is she griping about people muttering or low-talking constantly? Is she requesting that people repeat themselves? It’s time for a compassionate talk about the benefits of hearing aids.
4. You’re feeling a rift in the relationship
Couples argue two times as much when one of them has 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 stress in a household when somebody can’t hear. They get aggravated about their hearing loss. Others get upset when they won’t go in for help. This leads to lots of hurt feelings and decisions to spend more time apart or alone.
Many couples don’t realize that hearing loss is the trigger, and this can harm their relationship irreparably. 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 dealing with a spouse, sibling, or dear friend. Encourage your loved one to schedule an appointment.
Individuals who discover they need hearing aids and use them say they’d never go back. As a matter of fact, they regret they waited so long to get them in the first place. They feel healthier, happier, and more active.
It can be a challenging talk to have. But when your loved one finally gets the help they require it will all have been worth it.
Call us right away and let us help you with some ideas about how to address your loved one’s hearing loss!