Getting around in noisy environments, holding conversations in large groups and even talking on the phone are all challenging for those with hearing loss. If your loved one is hearing impaired, you probably already know that. But what you might not have realized is the more insidious consequence of hearing loss: isolation.
Not necessarily in the physical sense. You’re around, they’ve got friends, work colleagues and family. The isolation that hearing loss brings comes down to feeling emotionally disconnected from the people around you.
Take a moment to think about your relationship with your loved one who has hearing loss. What was it like before their hearing loss? What is it like now?
The non-commercial organization hear-it posed similar questions to 129 of its readers, who have a friend or family member that is hearing impaired.
You might be surprised by the results of their online survey.
75% said hearing loss in a friend or relative changed how they behaved around them.
60% said hearing loss negatively affected their relationship.
50% of those that talked to their loved one about their hearing loss found it difficult to start that conversation.
Does any of that sound like you?
Now put yourself in the shoes of your loved one with hearing loss.
As their hearing has diminished all of their relationships have been affected: at home with their family, at work with their colleagues, all of their daily interactions with friends, relatives and acquaintances.
As conversations become increasingly hard to follow and engage with, the depth of their relationships begins to suffer.
But now you know. You’re aware and that’s a big step in the right direction. You can make that extra effort to connect with them. You can take the time to really consider their emotional needs.
But you can do one more thing that will make the biggest difference of all.
Encourage your loved one with hearing loss to get their hearing tested at Selective Hearing so they can be fitted with hearing aids.
Hearing aids bridge the disconnect between those with hearing loss and the world around them. We’ve seen the life-changing effects time and time again. So let us help you and your loved one with hearing loss reconnect.
