Most individuals don’t want to talk about the effect hearing loss has on relationships, even though it’s a problem many people deal with. Both partners can feel frustrated by the misunderstandings that are caused by hearing loss.
This is the ideal time for you to show your love and appreciation for your loved one with Valentine’s Day just around the corner. A wonderful way to do this is to talk to your loved one about your hearing loss.
Having “the talk”
Studies have found that a person with untreated hearing loss is 2.4 times more likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. When the region of your brain used for hearing becomes less active, it can begin a cascade effect that can impact your entire brain. This is called brain atrophy by doctors. It’s the “use it or lose it” principle in action.
Depression rates among individuals with hearing loss are nearly twice that of an individual with healthy hearing. Studies have shown that as a person’s hearing loss gets worse, they frequently become stressed and agitated. The individual may start to seclude themselves from friends and family. They are also likely to stop involving themselves in the activities they used to enjoy as they sink deeper into a state of depression.
Relationships between family, friends, and others then become strained. It’s important to be patient and work together to find solutions to communication problems.
Mystery solved
Your loved one may not be ready to let you know they are developing hearing loss. They might be afraid or ashamed. They could be in denial. Deciding when to have the conversation may take a little detective work.
Because you can’t hear what your partner or parent hears, you’ll have to depend on external clues, like:
- Starting to notice anxiety and agitation in social situations
- Frequent misunderstandings
- Avoiding conversations
- Not hearing vital sounds, such as the doorbell, dryer buzzer, or somebody calling their name
- Avoiding busy places
- Complaining about ringing, humming, static, or other noises that you don’t hear
- Turning the volume way up on your TV
- Sudden difficulty with work, hobbies, or school
Look for these prevalent symptoms and plan to have a heart-to-heart talk with your loved one.
What is the best way to discuss hearing loss?
Having this talk might not be easy. A spouse in denial might brush it off or become defensive. That’s why discussing hearing loss in the right way is so relevant. 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 important to you. You’ve read through the research. You know 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 concerned about your own health and safety. Your hearing could be damaged by an overly loud TV. Also, your relationship can be impacted, as studies have shown that overly loud noise can trigger anxiety. If you have an intruder in your house or you’ve taken a fall, your partner might not hear you yelling for help. People relate to others through emotion. If you can paint an emotional picture of the what-ifs, it will have more impact than simply listing facts.
- Step 4: Schedule an appointment to get a hearing test together. Do it right away after making the decision. Don’t delay.
- Step 5: Be ready for objections. These could happen anywhere in the process. You know this person. What will their doubts be? Will it be lack of time, or money? Maybe they don’t see that it’s a problem. Do they think they can utilize homemade methods? (You recognize “natural hearing loss cures” don’t actually work and could cause more harm than good.)
Have your responses prepared ahead of time. Even a little practice can’t hurt. They don’t have to match those listed above word-for-word, but they should address your loved one’s concerns.
Relationship growth
If your spouse is unwilling to discuss their hearing loss, it can be difficult. Openly talking about the impact of hearing loss on your relationship can help to solidify a plan to address any communication challenges and make sure that both partners are heard and understood. In this way, your relationship will grow stronger and your partner will take measures to live a longer, healthier life. Growing together – isn’t that what love is all about?
References
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing#
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-common-problem-older-adults