June 15, 2020
Studies show that chronic hearing loss impedes social interactions in a variety of situations. However, it can take the most significant toll at home, undermining relationships between those who are hard-hearing and those close to them.
But it doesn’t need to be so. Hearing aids may help establish communication lines that sustain healthy relationships. Keep on reading to find out how the best thing you can do for your relationship is to manage your hearing loss.
How hearing loss can damage our relationships.
There are lots of ways in which having hearing loss can damage a relationship, no matter how strong the foundations.
1. There are miscommunications. You often believe you can hear fine with untreated hearing loss, but there’s a good chance you probably don’t quite understand what your partner is saying. That is because with hearing loss, higher pitched and complex sounds are always the first to go, such as the difference between a “d” and a “p.” For this reason, we are left to ask those we love to repeat themselves continually. This can cause our loved ones to feel like you aren’t listening to them or don’t care what they’re saying – which can have a very negative impact on relationships.
2. There is less intimacy. The potential for genuine communication often lies between the lines, particularly in our intimate relationships. Remember how you loved hearing your husband sing to themselves while they were reading the newspaper? Or the first time they whispered ‘I Love you’ in a crowded room? These moments tend to disappear with hearing loss – not because we don’t want to experience them, but because we tend not to hear them anymore.
3. There is less time spent on fun activities. Hearing loss in a relationship most frequently leads to fewer shared experiences and more isolation. Previously shared pastimes such as going to restaurants and sporting events, or even watching television, may drop off as hearing loss makes them less enjoyable. Conversing and depending on one another is an uphill struggle as well. Hearing loss also tends to make you less likely to want to go out to social events, or any occasion. Watch out! This means you may lack the lust for life that made you attractive to your partner in the first place.
4. There is less conversation. The effort and energy it takes to follow a conversation with hearing loss can cause extreme tiredness and anxiety, which can prevent continued communication with your partner.
5. There are more emotional issues to deal with. If you have a chronic untreated hearing loss, you become more vulnerable to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. This often means that your partner could be burdened with helping you through these issues.
Hearing loss affects the partner just as much
It’s often said that when one person develops a hearing loss, they are not the only person who suffers. Untreated hearing loss also hurts family, friends, and significant others, according to numerous studies.
A 2009 British study concluded that out of 1,500 people with hearing loss, 44 percent said their hearing loss had caused stress and strain in their family, friends, and romantic partner relationships. About 34 percent said the communication issues had severely damaged relationships due to untreated hearing loss, some even leading to a divorce.
What hearing aids can do for your relationship
As you can see, there are many negatives associated with untreated hearing loss on your relationships. But there are just as many positive things that come from being able to treat hearing loss.
It has been shown that being fitted with hearing aids – and wearing them every day – could improve your overall quality of life, restore feelings of well-being, increase physical safety, and help prevent cognitive decline and dementia.
Hearing aids often help you to interact more easily with those around you, without the tension and embarrassment of frequent misunderstandings.
Eventually, hearing aids encourage you to get out of the house and take part in activities with those you love again.
Treating Hearing Loss
There’s no better time to have your hearing tested! We offer you a comprehensive analysis of your hearing health with our thorough testing and individualized care. We can recommend devices that can help you restore the connections with those you love. Contact us today to set up an appointment.