If
you’re married, you likely had the phrase “for better or for worse” somewhere
in your marriage vows. When you first say “I do”, however, it’s not always
clear what the “for worse” part will entail. It could involve difficult
experiences, arguments, illness, or a host of other things. For some, it’s
having a loved one with hearing
loss.
Effects of hearing loss on relationships
Unlike
some medical conditions, which only affect one individual, hearing loss can
affect the whole family. This includes a spouse, children, parents, other
relatives, and family friends. Some of the negative
effects of hearing impairment on relationships
include:
- Poor
communication - Arguments
between partners or family members due to misunderstanding or hearing things
incorrectly - Financial
strain (loss of work, having to pay for hearing aids or other assistive
listening devices) - Decreased
ability to enjoy favorite activities - Social
isolation - Loneliness
and withdrawal - Feelings
of resentment and/or frustration - Decreased
intimacy
How to prevent hearing loss from ruining a
relationship
The
good news is, hearing loss doesn’t
have to have a negative impact on a relationship, whether it’s a spouse, partner,
friend, or family member. Follow these simple tips and you’ll be well on your
way to preserving the relationships you care about most.
- Get their attention – When you’re speaking to someone with a hearing impairment, make sure they are paying attention to you first. Otherwise, what you have to say may fall on deaf ears … literally.
- Stay on topic – While many people can easily follow changes in conversation topics, individuals with hearing loss often cannot. Their brain is already working overtime to process the information it’s getting, so changing topics quickly and without warning may leave them behind.
- Slow down – Talk slowly and don’t be afraid to pause during the conversation. You might feel like silence is awkward, but it will actually help the person with hearing loss keep up with what’s being spoken.
- Eliminate background noise – Individuals with hearing loss often find it difficult to filter out background noise like music or other voices, even if they have hearing aids. Turn down the music or move to a quiet room to provide an optimal environment for meaningful conversation.
- Have some empathy – Do all you can to learn about and understand the characteristics of your loved one’s hearing loss. Put yourself in their shoes and it will help you understand what they’re going through and how you can help make things easier for them.
- Check for understanding – When you’re speaking to someone with a hearing impairment, don’t assume they hear and understand you just because they nod their head. They could be just acting polite. Instead, double-check that your message was completely understood, especially if it’s important information.
Appropriate hearing loss treatment
Untreated
hearing loss can be a silent killer of relationships … don’t let it affect
yours. Instead, if you or a loved one experiences any kind of hearing changes,
make an appointment with one of our audiologists for a thorough hearing
test and evaluation. We offer comprehensive hearing services,
including aural
rehabilitation, a plan for the whole family to learn how to
positively adjust to living with hearing loss.
The post How Hearing Loss Affects the Whole Family appeared first on Hear Well – Live Well.
Source: Hear Well-Live Well Blog