For those suffering from hearing loss, it can feel like a very personal experience. However, it’s often the case that their loved ones are highly affected as well.
As Catherine Palmer, Director of Audiology and Hearing Aids at the University of Pittsburgh explains, “Hearing loss is a family issue, not just an individual one… It’s long been understood that a person with hearing loss may start to withdraw from social situations, but there’s been less focus on the effects on their partners – the social isolation as well as the burden of being a loved one’s ‘ears.’”
Below we review the effects of hearing loss on your relationships and the benefits of seeking treatment.
How Untreated Hearing Loss Affects Relationships
Any couples’ counselor will tell you that communication is key to healthy relationships. When you cannot hear well, communication is certainly impacted. In fact, research shows that untreated hearing loss can result in frustration, stress and distance within relationships. Other ways relationships can be impacted include:
- Decreased quality of conversations. When you can’t hear well, you’re less likely to swap stories, share inside jokes and romanticize the past, like your first date at Water Grill San Diego. This can affect intimacy within a relationship.
- Less time doing shared activities. You’re also more likely to withdraw from activities you once enjoyed, from going out dancing to just sitting at home watching TV with the ones you love.
- Growing resentment. If you can’t make your own appointments or communicate without help, your partner may begin to inadvertently experience feelings of resentment for having to compensate.
The Benefits of Treatment
Hearing aids are the gold standard of treatment for hearing loss in most cases. Wearing hearing aids has been shown to improve relationships by:
- Reducing miscommunication. Hearing aids help amplify sounds to a level your ears can easily hear and your brain can easily process, improving the ability to communicate effectively.
- Improving enjoyment of conversations. Because you’re no longer straining to hear what is said, you can be more fully present in the conversation, making it more enjoyable for all parties.
- Easing tension. Seeking treatment helps alleviate stress, frustration and tension for both you and your partner.
- Cultivating closeness. All these factors together can help you become even closer with the people you love the most.
For more information about the benefits of hearing aids or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call San Diego ENT today.