Untreated hearing loss can lead to a lot of negative consequences. It can affect your performance at work, make it harder to carry on conversations with others and even worsen your mental and physical health.
However, hearing loss doesn’t just affect the person suffering. Research has shown it can take a toll on your immediate family as well.
Studies Show That Hearing Loss Is Hard on Relationships
One study from 2004 interviewed 418 older married couples over the course of five years in order to analyze the relationship between a spouse’s hearing loss and their partner’s physical, social and psychological well-being. Researchers found that “spouse hearing loss increased the likelihood of subsequent poorer physical, psychological, and social well-being in partners.”
Hearing Loss Makes It Harder To Connect
Hearing loss makes it harder to communicate, and healthy communication is vital to any strong relationship. When that becomes harder, the relationship can struggle in many ways, including experiencing:
- A greater number of misunderstandings or miscommunications between you and your loved ones
- Frustration on the part of your family members that they have to frequently repeat themselves or that they feel you aren’t listening to them
- An increase in social isolation for both you and your spouse or partner
- Greater difficulty enjoying activities that once were fun, like going to the movies, taking salsa classes or having dinner out with friends at Fixe Southern House
- Increased feelings of loneliness for both you and your spouse or partner
- Resentment from your partner for constantly having to act as a translator or tell you what you missed while talking to a group of people
- Decreased small talk, joking and quiet conversations at home that help build intimacy
- Feelings of sadness from the loss of companionship
Hearing Aids Can Keep You and Your Loved Ones Close
If you feel like hearing loss is getting in the way of being close to your loved ones, call and schedule an appointment for a hearing test. If you’re feeling nervous, ask your spouse or partner to go with you. They will likely feel relieved that you are seeking help and be more than happy to support you.
If your hearing test reveals that you do have permanent hearing loss, your audiologist will likely recommend hearing aids. They will work with you to find a pair that feels comfortable, fits with your lifestyle and, most importantly, meets your hearing needs and allows you to feel confident in your ability to communicate with others again.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with one of our hearing experts, call River ENT today.
