Most people don’t want to discuss the effect hearing loss has on relationships, even though it’s an issue many people cope 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 great way to do this is to talk to your loved one about your hearing loss.
Having “the talk”
A person experiencing neglected hearing loss has a 2.4 times more likely chance of developing cognitive disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease according to some studies. A cascade effect that will eventually impact the entire brain will be caused when the part of your brain responsible for hearing becomes less active. Doctors call this brain atrophy. It’s the “use it or lose it” concept in action.
Depression cases are almost half in individuals who have normal hearing compared to those who have hearing loss. People frequently become anxious and agitated as their hearing loss progresses according to research. The individual may start to isolate themselves from friends and family. As they fall deeper into sadness, people who have hearing loss are likely to stop taking part in the activities they once enjoyed.
This, in turn, can lead to relationship strain among mother and son, father and daughter, close friends, spouses, and other people in this person’s life. It’s essential to be patient and work together to find solutions to communication problems.
Mystery solved
Someone who is developing hearing loss might not be ready to talk about it. They may feel embarrassment and fear. Denial may have set in. You might need to do some detective work to determine when it’s time to have the conversation.
Here are some external cues you will have to depend on because you can’t hear what others are hearing:
- Repeated misunderstandings
- Watching TV with the volume very high
- Starting to notice anxiety and agitation in social situations
- Not hearing vital sounds, like the doorbell, dryer buzzer, or someone calling their name
- Sudden difficulty with work, hobbies, or school
- Avoiding conversations
- Complaining about buzzing, humming, static, or other sounds that you can’t hear
- Avoiding busy places
Plan on having a heart-to-heart discussion with your loved one if you notice any of these symptoms.
What is the best way to discuss hearing loss?
This discussion might not be an easy one to have. A loved one might become defensive and brush it off if they’re in denial. That’s why it’s crucial to approach hearing loss in a sensitive and appropriate way. The steps will be essentially the same but maybe with some small modifications based on your particular relationship situation.
- Step 1: Let them know that you love them without condition and value your relationship.
- Step 2: You’re worried about their health. You’ve read through the research. You know that untreated hearing loss can result in an increased chance of depression and dementia. You don’t want that for your loved one.
- Step 3: You’re also worried about your own safety and health. Your hearing could be damaged by an overly loud TV. In addition, research shows that increased noise can trigger anxiety, which might affect your relationship. If you have a burglar in your house or you’ve taken a fall, your partner may not hear you yelling for help. People relate to others through emotion. Merely listing facts won’t have as much impact as painting an emotional picture.
- Step 4: Decide together to make an appointment to get a hearing test. After you make the decision make an appointment as soon as possible. Don’t hold off.
- Step 5: Be prepared for objections. You could find these objections at any time in the process. You know this person. What sort of objections will they have? Will it be lack of time, or money? Doesn’t see an issue? They might feel that home remedies will be just fine. (You know “natural hearing loss cures” don’t actually work and could cause more harm than good.)
Be ready with your responses. You may even rehearse them in the mirror. They don’t have to match those listed above word-for-word, but they should concentrate on your loved one’s concerns.
Relationship growth
If your partner is unwilling to talk about their hearing loss, it can be challenging. Openly discussing the effect of hearing loss on your relationship can help to solidify a plan to deal with any communication issues and make sure that both partners are heard and understood. In this way, your relationship will get stronger and your partner will take steps 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