When thinking about the importance of treating your hearing loss, it’s helpful to remember that it doesn’t just affect you. Hearing loss can be hard on your immediate family as well.
Hearing Loss Negatively Impacts Spouses
A 2004 study interviewed 418 older married couples over the course of five years to analyze the relationship between a spouse’s hearing loss and their partner’s physical, social and psychological well-being. They found that “spouse hearing loss increased the likelihood of subsequent poorer physical, psychological, and social well-being in partners.”
Why This Happens
At a basic level, hearing loss makes it harder to communicate. Healthy communication is a pillar of any strong relationship, and when that becomes difficult, the relationship can suffer. Hearing loss can lead to:
- 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
- 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, playing bingo with friends or talking over dinner at one of Hampton’s waterfront restaurants like Marker 20
- 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 with a group of people
- Decrease in small talk, joking and quiet conversations at home that help build intimacy
- A loss of companionship
It’s also difficult for family members to fully appreciate just how difficult hearing loss to be, even if they are trying to be supportive. Things like listening fatigue and background noise make it extremely tough for people with hearing loss to concentrate and be able to hear what is said.
Treating Your Hearing Loss Can Help Your Relationships
If you feel like hearing loss is affecting your relationships, make an appointment for a hearing test. Treatment options like hearing aids can help make it easier to communicate with others in any environment, easing the burden on you and those you love.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the experts at Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy today.