Denial is a common first response. My loved one must be just making it seem like their hearing loss is more severe than it really is. She’s not old enough to need a hearing aid.
Perhaps, it’s become a joke between both of you. She is always requesting that you repeat what you said. You joke about it like it’s simply a game. But it’s starting to become less and less humorous. You question whether she’s simply disregarding you or if she might actually be having some genuine hearing trouble.
It’s time to be supportive and make sure your loved one gets the care they need to keep living a happy, healthy, active life well into their older age.
Here are 4 prevalent indications that somebody you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She’s more tired than usual especially when you go out
You may believe it’s just an indication of getting older. Your loved one used to have a lot more energy. When she says she just doesn’t feel like going out tonight, you try to be patient.
Then she starts missing meetings with a hobby group, organization, or club that she’s always loved, even when they get together virtually, and you begin to recognize something could be wrong. Loud noise seems to deplete your loved one’s energy. If there is a lot of background noise, or if more than one conversation is taking place at the same time, this is especially true.
Extra energy is required to hear and understand what people are saying when someone is struggling with hearing issues. They often have to pull this energy from other brain functions like memory, talking, 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 presume you understand what she’s experiencing. It may be a mix of things. In order to get to the root of the problem, ask her questions and advocate for a hearing test.
2. She likes the TV LOUD
Frequently, you will notice this symptom first. They can’t seem to watch TV or listen to music at a healthy volume.
You walk 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 suggest that the TV is too loud, she might chuckle and turn it down. Then you notice that she just switched on the captions.
Maybe she’s ashamed about it. It’s likely time for you to recommend a hearing exam if this is a regular thing.
3. She often needs people to repeat themselves
It may not be an issue if you are in a really loud environment or she’s really focused on something. If it’s occurring more frequently than that, be aware.
Likewise, pay attention if she seems to have a lot of difficulty hearing when she’s on the phone.
Is she always 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
Couples argue two times as much when one of them has hearing loss, according to research. These quarrels may center around TV volume, misconceptions, or what one claims the other person may or may not have said.
When somebody can’t hear, there will be much more tension in a household. Their hearing loss is stressful. And their refusal to get help is frustrating to others. This frequently leads to people choosing to spend more time alone due to more hurt feelings.
Many couples don’t realize that hearing loss is the cause, and this can damage their relationship irreparably. Even moderate hearing loss can strain a relationship, so it pays to get it checked out.
Simply getting a hearing exam can give you a completely new perspective on your relationship, whether you’re talking about a spouse, sister, or dear friend. Encourage your loved one to call for an appointment.
People who recognize they need hearing aids and wear them say they’d never go back. Usually, they wish they wouldn’t have waited so long. They feel healthier, happier, and more active.
It isn’t a comfortable talk to have. But when your loved one finally gets the help they need 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!