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“What’s that you said?” is a question you might find yourself asking often if you have difficulty hearing. Hearing loss makes it harder to follow conversations or hear what loved ones are saying. You’re not the only one affected by your hearing loss. The truth is that your hearing loss affects every member of your family. It can also cause problems in your closet relationships.
Putting a Strain on Relationships
If you’re living with untreated hearing loss, you’ve probably experienced a breakdown in daily communication. It’s harder to hear what your loved one is saying and you use a lot of energy straining to hear. Hearing loss often leads to frustration on both sides. You’re upset, you can’t hear what your romantic partner is saying, and they may get angry or distressed that you can’t hear like you used to.
If you or your partner have untreated hearing loss, you’ll be missing those moments of spontaneity and connection that keep you close as a couple. You will probably talk less overall, spend less time together, and have fewer everyday interactions.
Prioritizing Communication
Many couples say their relationship is built on clear communication. Throughout the years they’ve been together, they prioritize communication. Whether they spend time discussing important issues, reminiscing about their favorite stories, or even just deciding what to have for dinner, all these interactions keep the relationship healthy. Sharing inside stories and humor can increase feelings of connectedness and companionship.
Hearing loss can lead to poor communication and disrupt the patterns of daily communication. Both you and your partner will report a loss of intimacy and a sense of isolation or loneliness. Hearing loss doesn’t just affect you, it affects your partner as well.
The Emotional Side of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss doesn’t just make it harder to hear. Hearing loss has a huge impact on your emotions. Your partner will also experience a number of emotions as they support you. Some emotions commonly associated with hearing loss include:
- Frustration at not being able to understand what’s being said
- Frustration that no one else understands exactly what you’re going through
- Resentment that your partner can hear clearly while you’re straining to hear
- Resentment from your partner as they help you hear in every social situation
- Loneliness and social isolation
- Fewer social interactions, and a loss of companionship
- Reduced ability to share activities, like playing games or watching TV
At the heart of all these emotions is a decrease in communication. As you and your partner adjust to your hearing loss, you’ll both find yourselves talking less and connecting less.
Treating Hearing Loss
The good news is that you’re not alone! Millions of Americans have hearing loss, and they know exactly what you’re going through. Not only that, but you can treat your hearing loss and rebuild your closest relationships. Hearing aids offer you a new way to connect with loved ones. Advanced programs and settings make it easier to hear, both at home and in social situations.
Improve Communication
Hearing aids improve communication and reduce miscommunications. You’ll be able to share inside jokes with your partner, chat over breakfast, and share special moments without asking them to repeat themselves. When you hear what’s been said the first time, you won’t have to guess what was said. You can focus on sharing time with your loved one without the risk of mishearing something important, accidentally starting a fight, or getting frustrated.
Reduce Tension
Hearing aids can reduce frustration and defuse tension. When you’re able to hear clearly in most situations, you and your loved ones can breathe a sigh of relief. Your partner will enjoy having easy conversations without having to repeat themselves. Your partner has made a lot of changes to help you hear, such as helping you hear during social events, answering phone calls, or making other changes to their routines. Hearing aids will help your relationship feel more balanced, lowering tension and frustration and improving your relationship.
Don’t let hearing loss be the reason your relationship is on the rocks. Hearing aids can improve communication, improve your quality of life, and improve your relationship. Visit us today and find out more about how hearing aids can make hearing easy.