You care deeply about your loved ones and want to do something to show them? Really listen when your loved ones talk to you. But you have to be able to hear in order to really listen.
According to research, millions of individuals would benefit from wearing hearing aids because one out of three adults between the ages of 65 and 74 have some amount of hearing loss. But only 30% of those individuals actually use hearing aids, unfortunately.
This inaction leads to difficulty hearing, in addition to increased dementia rates, depression, and stressed relationships. Suffering in silence is how many individuals endure their hearing loss.
But spring is right around the corner. Spring should be a time when we take pleasure in blossoming flowers, emerging leaves, beginning new things, and growing closer to loved ones. Isn’t it time to renew your relationship by speaking openly about hearing loss?
It’s Necessary to Have “The Talk”
Studies have found that an person with neglected hearing loss is 2.4 times more likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. A cascade effect that eventually impacts the overall brain can be triggered when there’s diminished activity in the part of your brain responsible for hearing. This is referred to as “brain atrophy” by doctors. It’s the “use it or lose it” principle in action.
Individuals with hearing loss have nearly twice as many cases of depression than people who have normal hearing. People with deteriorating hearing loss, according to research, often experience anxiety and agitation. The person may start to seclude themselves from family and friends. They’re likely to stop involving themselves in the activities they once enjoyed as they sink deeper into a state of sadness.
Strained relationships between friends and family members is often the result of this separation.
Solving The Puzzle
Your loved one may not feel that they can talk to you about their hearing issues. They may be nervous or ashamed. They could be in denial. You might need to do some detective work to determine when it’s time to initiate the conversation.
Since you can’t hear what your spouse or parent hears, you’ll have to use external cues, including:
- Staying away from conversations
- Watching TV with the volume extremely high
- Complaining about ringing, humming, static, or other sounds that you don’t hear
- Frequent misunderstandings
- Not hearing vital sounds, like the doorbell, dryer buzzer, or somebody calling their name
- School, hobbies, and work are suddenly becoming more difficult
- Steering clear of places with lots of people and activity
- New levels of anxiety in social settings
Plan to have a heart-to-heart talk with your loved one if you detect any of these common signs.
The Hearing Loss Talk – Here’s How
It may be hard to have this conversation. A partner in denial might brush it off or become defensive. That’s why approaching hearing loss in the proper manner is so significant. The steps will be the basically same even though you might have to adjust your language based on your distinct relationship.
Step 1: Tell them you love them unconditionally and value your relationship.
Step 2: Their health is important to you and you’re worried. You’ve read the studies. You’re aware of the higher dementia risk and depression that accompany neglected hearing loss. You don’t want your loved one to go through that.
Step 3: You’re also worried about your own health and safety. An overly loud TV could damage your hearing. Relationships can also be impacted by the anxiety loud noises can cause, according to some research. If somebody has broken into your house, or you yell for help, your loved one might not hear you.
Emotion is an essential part of strong communication. If you can paint an emotional picture of what might happen, it’s more effective than simply listing facts.
Step 4: Agree together to make an appointment to get a hearing exam. Do it immediately after deciding. Don’t procrastinate.
Step 5: Be ready for your loved ones to have some objections. These might occur anywhere in the process. This is somebody you know well. What problems will they find? Costs? Time? Do they not acknowledge a problem? Do they think they can utilize homemade remedies? You know “natural hearing loss cures” don’t actually work and could do more harm than good.
Be prepared with your answers. Maybe you rehearse them beforehand. They don’t have to be those listed above word-for-word, but they should speak to your loved one’s doubts.
Grow Your Relationship
If your significant other is reluctant to talk, it can be a tough situation. But you’ll get your loved one the help they require to live a long healthy life and grow closer by having this talk. Isn’t love all about growing together?
References
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-common-problem-older-adults
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing#:~:text=About%2028.8%20million%20U.S.%20adults%20could%20benefit%20from%20using%20hearing%20aids.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5403920/
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/news/2014/nidcd-researchers-find-strong-link-between-hearing-loss-and-depression-adults