If you have hearing loss, you know how hard it can be to understand others and navigate daily interactions. What you might not realize is that your hearing loss can be difficult for your family as well.
Hearing Loss Can Strain Relationships
Hearing loss affects your ability to be able to hear and process what others are saying, making it difficult to communicate. While this can have negative consequences in any aspect of life, from attending work meetings to shopping for groceries, it can take the biggest toll on your closest relationships.
A study published in 2004 interviewed 418 older married couples over five years to examine the relationship between a spouse’s hearing loss and their partner’s physical, social and psychological well-being.
Researchers found that partners who had a spouse with hearing loss were more likely to experience poorer physical, psychological and social health and well-being.
Ways Hearing Loss Impacts Your Relationships with Others
Hearing loss can put a strain on your relationships in ways both big and small, including:
- Increased misunderstandings. Whether it’s not hearing your spouse ask for help with the dishes after dinner or needing them to continually repeat themselves when out shopping at the Missoula Farmer’s Market, these fractured interactions can leave you both frustrated and resentful.
- Isolation from others. People with untreated hearing loss often begin to avoid social engagements because of increased communication difficulties. This means passed-up dinners, family reunions and hikes with friends, not just for you but for your spouse as well. This can increase feelings of loneliness, depression and continue to build up resentment.
- Loss in companionship. Relationships are strengthened by everyday moments of intimacy, like talking over a cup of coffee in the morning or making little jokes with each other throughout the day. When there’s a breakdown in communication, these moments become less frequent, and both of you can feel a loss of companionship.
How Hearing Aids Can Benefit You and Your Family
If you feel like hearing loss is taking a toll on your relationships, schedule an appointment for a hearing test. This quick, painless exam can identify what noises you struggle with and what treatment options would be best.
Hearing aids are the most common form of hearing loss treatment. A qualified audiologist can help determine what pair best meets your needs and fits your lifestyle. Using hearing aids can improve communication with your loved ones and keep your relationships strong.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Western Montana Hearing and Speech today.