Denial is a typical first reaction. My loved one must be just making it seem like their hearing loss is worse than it really is. She’s not old enough to need a hearing aid.
Maybe, it’s become a joke between the two of you. Your loved one constantly asks you to speak up. It’s only a game. You joke about it. But this game is getting old quickly. You’re beginning to believe that maybe your spouse, sibling, or parent is either dismissing you or actually having difficulty hearing.
It’s time to be supportive and make certain your loved one gets the care they need to keep living a happy, healthy, active lifestyle well into their older age.
If somebody you know needs hearing aids they will most likely be showing these 4 prevalent signs.
1. She appears to be exhausted, particularly in public
Maybe you believe that it just ordinarily happens when you get older. Your loved one just doesn’t have as much energy as they used to. When she says she just doesn’t feel like going out tonight, you try to be patient.
You really begin to suspect that something isn’t right when she starts skipping meetings with clubs, organizations, and hobby groups she’s always enjoyed. Loud noise seems to sap your loved one’s energy. This is particularly true if they’re in a situation where there is more than one discussion happening, or there’s lots of background noise.
Individuals who are straining to hear put excessive energy toward understanding people around them. As a result, energy is transferred from other important brain functions like physical mobility, memory, and talking.
This use of additional 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 dealing with. It may be a mix of things. But ask questions. Get to the underlying cause and recommend that she get a hearing test.
2. She likes the TV LOUD
Frequently, you will notice this symptom first. They can’t seem to watch TV or play music at a healthy volume.
You go into the room, and it sounds like you’ve just entered 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.
She might turn it down when you inform her it’s too loud. Then you notice that she just switched on the captions.
Perhaps she’s embarrassed about it. It’s likely time for you to recommend a hearing exam if this is a frequent thing.
3. She says, “What?”… a lot
If you’re in a really loud setting like a concert or movie theater or she’s really concentrated on a movie, then it might be nothing. If it’s occurring more often than that, be aware.
Furthermore, if she’s straining to hear phone calls you should take note.
Is she complaining about people muttering or low-talking constantly? Does she frequently need people to repeat what they said? It’s time for a compassionate chat about the benefits of hearing aids.
4. Your relationship is feeling strained
Researchers have discovered that couples, where one has hearing loss, have around 50% more quarrels. These quarrels may center around TV volume, misunderstandings, or what one claims the other person may or may not have said.
When someone isn’t able to hear, there will be a lot more stress in a household. Their hearing loss is stressful. Others get upset when they won’t go in for help. This brings about lots of hurt feelings and decisions to spend more time apart or alone.
This can lead to irreversible damage to the relationship and the couple frequently doesn’t even comprehend 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. As a matter of fact, they regret they waited so long to get them in the first place. Their general quality of life will be significantly enhanced.
It’s not a comfortable discussion to have. But the challenge of this conversation is worth it when your loved one finally finds the assistance they need.
Call us today and let us help you with some ideas about how to tackle your loved one’s hearing loss!
