It’s a normal first response – denial. Surely, my loved one’s hearing loss isn’t as advanced as it seems. She’s not old enough to need a hearing aid.
Maybe, the two of you have started to joke around with one another about it. Your loved one always asks you to repeat yourself. It’s only a game. You laugh about it. But this game is getting old fast. You question whether she’s just ignoring you or if she may actually be having some legit hearing trouble.
It’s time to be supportive and make certain your loved one gets the care they need to continue to live a happy, healthy, active life even into their older age.
Here are 4 prevalent indications that someone you know needs a hearing aid.
1. She’s more tired than usual particularly when you go out
You may think it’s simply a sign of getting older. Your loved one used to have much more energy. You try to understand when she says that won’t be going out tonight.
You really begin to suspect that something isn’t right when she begins skipping meetings with clubs, organizations, and hobby groups she’s always loved. Your loved one’s energy seems to be depleted by loud environments. If there is lots of background noise, or if more than one conversation is taking place at the same time, this is particularly true.
Additional energy is required to hear and comprehend what people are saying when somebody is struggling with hearing issues. Consequently, energy is taken from other essential brain functions like physical mobility, memory, and talking.
Using this additional brainpower doesn’t strengthen the brain; it just makes it tired. Your loved one will frequently seem to shut down with fatigue in social situations.
If you’re not personally experiencing the same thing, don’t assume you can relate to what she’s going through. It may 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 frequently one of the first signs that you might notice in another person. They can’t seem to watch TV or play music at a normal volume.
You walk into the room, and it sounds like you’ve just walked into a movie theater. You instantly get the urge to make some popcorn, except you realize 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 may laugh and lower the volume. Then you notice that she just turned on the captions.
She may not want to admit that she really can’t hear the TV. It’s likely time for you to suggest a hearing exam if this is a frequent thing.
3. She often needs people to repeat what they said
If you’re in a really loud environment like a concert or movie theater or she’s really focused on a movie, then it may be nothing. If it’s occurring more often than that, be aware.
Likewise, take notice 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 requesting that people 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
Researchers have found that couples, where one has hearing loss, have about 50% more quarrels. These quarrels may be about TV volume, misconceptions, or what one says the other person did or didn’t say.
Overall, there’s just more tension in a household when someone can’t hear. Their hearing loss is stressful. 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 and alone.
Many couples don’t recognize that hearing loss is the cause, and this can harm their relationship irreparably. It’s important to get the proper help because even moderate hearing loss can strain relationships.
The simple act of getting a hearing test can give you a completely new perspective on your relationship, whether you’re talking about a spouse, sibling, or dear friend. Encourage your loved one to call for an appointment.
If someone has hearing loss, hearing aids can change their lives and most will say they would never go back. In fact, they regret they didn’t get them sooner. They feel happier, healthier, and more energetic.
It’s not an easy conversation to have. But when your loved one finally finds 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 tackle your loved one’s hearing loss!