Your Relationships Don’t Need to be Negatively Impacted by Hearing loss

Cropped shot of two unrecognizable people holding hands discussing hearing loss with compassion.

Most individuals don’t want to discuss 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 perfect time for you to express 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 untreated hearing loss has a 2.4 times more likely chance of developing cognitive disorders including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease according to some studies. When the part of your brain used for hearing becomes less engaged, it can begin a cascade effect that can affect your entire brain. Doctors call this brain atrophy. It’s the “use it or lose it” idea in action.

Depression rates among those who have hearing loss are nearly twice that of an individual who has healthy hearing. People often become stressed and agitated as their hearing loss worsens according to research. This can lead to the person being self secluded from family and friends. As they fall deeper into sadness, people who have hearing loss are likely to avoid participating in the activities they once enjoyed.

Relationships between family, friends, and others then become tense. It’s essential to be patient and work together to determine solutions to communication challenges.

Mystery solved

Somebody who is experiencing hearing loss might not be ready to talk about it. They may be afraid or ashamed. Denial may have set in. You might need to do some detective work to figure out when it’s time to have the talk.

Since you can’t hear what your spouse or parent hears, you’ll need to rely on outward clues, like:

  • Complaining about buzzing, humming, static, or other noises that you can’t hear
  • Avoiding busy places
  • Avoiding conversations
  • Turning the volume way up on your TV
  • Repeated misunderstandings
  • Agitation or anxiety in social settings that you haven’t previously observed
  • Sudden difficulty with work, hobbies, or school
  • Failing to hear alarms, doorbells, and other significant 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 talk about hearing loss?

Having this discussion might not be easy. A loved one could 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 may need to modify your language based on your unique relationship, but the strategies will be basically the same.

  • Step 1: Tell them that you love them unconditionally and value your relationship.
  • Step 2: You are concerned about their health. You’ve read through the research. You’re aware that an increased 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 may be harmed by an excessively loud TV. Also, your relationship can be impacted, as studies have revealed that overly loud noise can cause anxiety. Your loved one may not hear you calling for help if you’ve fallen or someone’s broken into the house. Emotion is a powerful way to connect with others. If you can paint an emotional picture of the what-ifs, it will have more impact than merely listing facts.
  • Step 4: Agree together to make an appointment to get a hearing assessment. Do it right away after making the decision. Don’t delay.
  • Step 5: Be prepared for objections. These could happen anywhere in the process. This is a person you know well. What will their objections be? Will it be lack of time, or money? Doesn’t see a problem? They may feel that homemade remedies will be just fine. (You know “natural hearing loss cures” don’t actually work and could do more harm than good.)

Be ready with your responses. Even a little practice can’t hurt. These answers need to address your loved one’s Worries but they don’t need to match those listed above word-for-word

Relationship growth

Talking about hearing loss isn’t easy if your significant other isn’t willing to discuss it. Openly talking about the impact of hearing loss on your relationship can help to establish a plan to deal with any communication challenges and ensure that both partners are heard and understood. By doing this, 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

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.