Denial is a common first reaction. My loved one must be just making it seem as if their hearing loss is worse than it actually is. She’s too young to require a hearing aid.
It’s possible, the both of you have started to joke around with each other about it. She is always asking you to repeat what you said. It’s just a game. You laugh about it. But it’s beginning to become less and less humorous. You’re beginning to think that maybe your spouse, brother, 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 many years so it’s probably time to be supportive and help them find the appropriate help.
Here are 4 prevalent indications that somebody you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She’s more drained than normal particularly when you go out
You might think it’s just a sign of aging. Your loved one just doesn’t have as much energy as they once did. You try to relate when she says that she’s not going out tonight.
Then she begins missing meetings with a hobby group, organization, or club that she’s always loved, even when they get together virtually, and you start to recognize something may be wrong. Your loved one’s energy seems to be drained by loud settings. If there is a lot of background noise, or if more than one conversation is happening at the same time, this is especially true.
Extra energy is needed to hear and understand what people are saying when someone is coping with hearing problems. Consequently, energy is transferred from other important brain functions like physical mobility, memory, and talking.
This use of additional energy is actually fatiguing the brain not strengthening it. Your loved one will frequently seem to shut down with fatigue in social situations.
If you aren’t going through the same thing, don’t assume you can relate to what she’s going through. Her feelings may be due to numerous factors. But ask questions. Get to the root cause and suggest that she get a hearing test.
2. She always cranks the TV up really loud
This is frequently one of the first indications that you may perceive in another person. They can’t seem to watch TV or listen to music at a normal volume.
You go into the room, and it sounds like you’ve just walked into a theater. You feel like you should make some popcorn, but it’s just your loved one blowing your ears out with the TV. You can even hear it from outside.
When you say that the TV is too loud, she may laugh and turn it down. Then you realize that she just switched on the captions.
Perhaps she’s embarrassed about it. It’s probably time for you to suggest a hearing test if this is a regular thing.
3. She often needs people to repeat themselves
If you’re in a really loud environment like a concert or theater or she’s really focused on a movie, then it might be nothing. But you should be mindful if this is happening often.
Likewise, 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 talking low constantly? Is she asking people to repeat themselves? If so, it’s time to have that loving conversation about how much more enjoyable life is with 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 may argue about what one of them may or may not have said, the volume of the TV, or other misconceptions.
When someone can’t hear, there will be much more stress in a household. They get aggravated about their hearing loss. Others get frustrated when they won’t go in for help. This leads to lots of hurt feelings and decisions to spend more time apart and alone.
This can cause permanent harm to the relationship and the couple frequently doesn’t even realize 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 spouse, you can get new perspective on your relationships by simply getting a hearing test. Speak with your loved one about getting their hearing assessed.
Individuals who recognize they need hearing aids and use them say they’d never go back. Usually, they wish they wouldn’t have waited so long. Their general quality of life will be significantly enhanced.
It isn’t an easy discussion to have. But when your loved one finally gets the help they need 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!