Hear Me Out: Is Your Hearing Loss Affecting Your Relationships?

There is nothing more frustrating than having to repeat yourself because someone can’t hear what you’re saying. Alternatively, maybe you are the one not understanding what others are saying? Ignoring your hearing loss can be a relationship killer.

The truth is that hearing loss for the person who is losing their hearing isn’t always apparent because it can be gradual.

However, that does not mean we have to live with it or deal with the frustration of communicating with each other. We can do something about it.

Read below to see how you can help the hearing impaired and save your relationships.

HEARING LOSS A GROWING CONCERN

Hearing loss is no joke and is becoming more and more of a concern for the aging population.

25 percent of that aging population aged 65 to 74 have some hearing loss. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 50 percent of those 75 and older have a disabling hearing loss.

These are people who live in our communities are our grandparents, aunts, uncles, and perhaps even our spouse.

We cannot ignore the issue if we want to have meaningful relationships with these people in our lives.

DO YOU FEEL ALONE DUE TO HEARING LOSS

It is not uncommon for a person suffering from hearing loss or tinnitus to feel somewhat isolated and alone.

It is difficult to hear what people are saying. The problem is that sometimes people treat those with hearing loss issues as if they are ignoring people on purpose. This leads to feelings of isolation.

About 20 percent of Americans report some hearing loss. While those people experience it, the people they are in relationships with also have to live with hearing loss.

According to a British study performed in 2009 with 1,500 people surveyed, 44 percent had reported that their hearing loss had strained their relationships with family, friends, romantic partners.

The feeling of resentment couples report towards each other when they live with untreated hearing loss issues is unnecessary because hearing loss has many treatment options.

THE FUTURE OF THE LOSS OF HEARING

Between the years 2020 and 2060, the number of people who are 20 and older with hearing loss is expected to reach 30 million people which is 8 percent of the population.

We all may not deal with the loss of hearing or the effects of it, but in some way, we will soon.

No matter how you live your life, we all interact with people who are deaf, wearing a hearing aid or hearing impaired. It’s part of everyday life.

Maybe you will be the one with the issue. If you are, there are many options for treatment and you are never alone.

DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE

Hearing loss can usually be treated with hearing aids. Pretending you don’t have it or that your partner isn’t hearing impaired will not improve your relationship.

The loss of hearing can be a relationship killer, but it does not have to if you merely seek professional help.

There have been many advances in the treatment of hearing loss. Today’s digital hearing aids are very small. Some are nearly invisible.

To find out how we can help you overcome your or your partners hearing impairment, contact us today.