The majority of individuals don’t want to discuss the effect hearing loss has on relationships, even though it’s an issue many people deal with. Both partners can feel aggravated by the misunderstandings that are caused by hearing loss.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner isn’t it a great opportunity to show your love and appreciation for your loved one? A wonderful way to do this is to talk to your loved one about your hearing loss.
Having “the talk”
Studies have revealed that a person with untreated hearing loss is 2.4 times more likely to develop dementia, and that includes Alzheimer’s disease. When the region of your brain responsible for hearing becomes less engaged, it can begin a cascade effect that can affect your entire brain. This is called brain atrophy by doctors. You remember how the old saying goes, “use it or lose it”.
Depression rates are almost half in people who have normal hearing compared to those who have hearing loss. People often become anxious and agitated as their hearing loss progresses according to research. This can lead to the person being self isolated from family and friends. As they fall deeper into depression, people with hearing loss are likely to avoid taking part in the activities they once enjoyed.
This, as a result, can result in relationship strain among mother and son, daughter and father, close friends, spouses, and others in this person’s life. Communication issues need to be handled with patients and compassion.
Mystery solved
Someone who is developing hearing loss might not be ready to discuss it. They might be afraid or embarrassed. They may be in denial. You might need to do a bit of detective work to figure out when it’s time to have the talk.
Here are some outward clues you will have to rely on because you can’t hear what other people are hearing:
- Starting to notice anxiety and agitation in social situations
- Avoiding busy places
- Sudden difficulty with work, hobbies, or school
- Repeated misunderstandings
- Failing to hear alarms, doorbells, and other essential sounds
- Avoiding conversations
- Watching TV with the volume very high
- Complaining about ringing, humming, static, or other noises that you can’t hear
Watch for these prevalent symptoms and plan to have a heart-to-heart conversation with your loved one.
How to discuss hearing loss
Having this conversation might not be easy. A loved one may become defensive and brush it off if they’re in denial. That’s why it’s crucial to discuss hearing loss in a sensitive and appropriate way. You might need to alter your language based on your unique relationship, but the strategies will be basically the same.
- Step 1: Tell them how much you love them without condition and how much you appreciate your relationship.
- Step 2: The state of their health is very important to you. You’ve read through the studies. You’re aware that a higher risk of depression and dementia comes along with untreated hearing loss. You don’t want your loved one to experience that.
- Step 3: You’re also worried about your own safety and health. An overly loud television could harm your hearing. In addition, research shows that elevated noise can cause anxiety, which may impact your relationship. Your loved one may not hear you calling for help if you have a fall or someone’s broken into the house. People connect with others through emotion. If you can paint an emotional picture of the what-ifs, it will have more impact than just listing facts.
- Step 4: Decide together to make an appointment to get a hearing assessment. Do it immediately after making the decision. Don’t hold off.
- Step 5: There might be some opposition so be ready. You could encounter these objections at any point in the process. This is a person you know well. What will their doubts be? Will it be lack of time, or money? Doesn’t notice an issue? Do they think they can utilize homemade methods? (You’re aware that “natural hearing loss cures” don’t really work and could do more harm than good.)
Be prepared with your answers. You might even rehearse them in the mirror. They don’t need to match those listed above word-for-word, but they should address your loved one’s worries.
Relationship growth
Discussing hearing loss isn’t easy if your significant other isn’t willing to talk about it. Developing a plan to tackle potential communication problems and the effect hearing loss can have on your relationship will help both partners have confidence that their worries will be heard and understood. In this way, your relationship will get stronger and your partner will take steps to live a longer, healthier life. And relationships are, after all, about growing together.
References
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing#
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-common-problem-older-adults
