The majority of people don’t want to talk about the impact hearing loss has on relationships, even though it’s an issue many people cope with. Hearing loss can cause communication obstacles that lead to misunderstandings and frustration for both partners.
This is the perfect time for you to express your love and appreciation for your loved one with Valentine’s Day right around the corner. Discussing hearing loss together is a great way to do this.
Having “the talk”
A person experiencing neglected hearing loss has a 2.4 times more likely chance of experiencing cognitive disorders including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease according to some studies. A cascade effect that will inevitably affect the entire brain will be initiated when the region of your brain responsible for hearing becomes less engaged. This is called brain atrophy by doctors. You know how the old saying goes, “use it or lose it”.
Depression numbers among individuals with hearing loss are almost twice that of a person with healthy hearing. People frequently become stressed and agitated as their hearing loss worsens according to research. The individual could begin to seclude themselves from family and friends. They are also likely to stop involving themselves in the activities they once enjoyed as they sink deeper into a state of sadness.
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 managed with patients and compassion.
Mystery solved
Your loved one might not be ready to let you know they are developing hearing loss. They may be afraid or ashamed. They could be in denial. Deciding when to have the talk could take a bit of detective work.
Since you can’t hear what your partner or parent hears, you’ll have to rely on outward clues, like:
- Complaining about buzzing, humming, static, or other noises that you can’t hear
- Starting to notice anxiety and agitation in social situations
- Frequent misunderstandings
- Avoiding busy places
- Avoiding conversations
- Turning the volume way up on your TV
- School, work, and hobbies are starting to become difficult
- Failing to hear alerts, doorbells, and other important sounds
Plan on having a heart-to-heart discussion with your loved one if you observe any of these symptoms.
What is the best way to discuss hearing loss?
This discussion may not be an easy one to have. A partner in denial may brush it off or become defensive. That’s why it’s crucial to approach hearing loss in a sensitive and appropriate way. The steps will be pretty much the same but perhaps with some small modifications based on your specific relationship situation.
- Step 1: Let them know that you love them without condition and appreciate your relationship.
- Step 2: You are worried about their health. You’ve read through the studies. You know that an increased risk of depression and dementia comes along with neglected hearing loss. That’s not what you want for your loved one.
- Step 3: Your own safety and health are also a worry. An excessively loud TV could damage your hearing. Additionally, studies show that elevated noise can create anxiety, which may impact your relationship. If you have a burglar in your house or you’ve fallen down, your partner may not hear you yelling for help. People connect with others through emotion. If you can paint an emotional picture of the what-ifs, it’s more impactful than just listing facts.
- Step 4: Agree together to make an appointment to get a hearing exam. After you make the decision make an appointment as soon as possible. Don’t delay.
- Step 5: There may be some objections so be prepared. These could happen at any time in the process. You know this person. What sort of doubts will they have? Money? Time? Doesn’t see an issue? They might feel that homemade remedies will be good enough. (“Natural hearing loss cures” are not effective and can even be harmful.)
Be ready with your responses. You may even practice them in the mirror. They don’t have 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 partner doesn’t want to talk about it. Openly discussing the impact of hearing loss on your relationship can help to solidify a plan to address any communication challenges and ensure that both partners are heard and understood. In this way, your relationship will grow 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