Unfortunately, hearing loss does not occur as a vacuum incident. It’s not as straightforward as being able to hear well one day and not at all the next; the symptoms go unnoticed for some time as they gradually worsen and only later become apparent, more often than not.
But beyond the hard-to-identify onset of hearing loss, studies also show that this health ailment takes quite a toll on loved ones, particularly those closest to us.
Fortunately, there are treatments available that can ease the impacts on loved ones and enhance the quality of life for those experiencing the signs and symptoms of hearing loss in its many forms and stages.
With that said, let’s take a deeper look at how hearing loss impacts those closest to us, our romantic partners.
A Strain On Communication
It’s genuinely no secret that communication is key in a healthy relationship; without communication, relationships tend to become strained. It’s almost inevitable that couples who battle to communicate eventually part ways; there’s nothing quite as hurtful as feeling unheard in a relationship.
Unfortunately, when hearing loss occurs, it becomes the unseen catalyst that drives couples apart due to a direct strain on communication. Your loved one may begin to feel unheard and unseen, and a sense of loneliness can grow from these emotions.
Suppose you have reason to believe that hearing loss might be the catalyst that’s chipping away at your ability to communicate with your partner. It’s essential to consider the available treatments. A hearing test will determine whether or not hearing loss is at the core of communication difficulties in your relationship. If you’re on a budget your best option is the affordable hearing aids, this can be found on the market and even on the internet.
Supportive Partners Might Battle To Maintain Understanding
Even the most empathetic and supportive partners might battle to maintain these positive qualities over time; this is especially a concern when hearing loss goes untreated.
Studies confirm that even the most supportive partners tend to eventually feel their supportive nature goes unnoticed as they feel more and more unheard. This impact is an unfortunate spinoff of the former effect of strained communication.
Unfortunately, even minor communication troubles tend to build up in a romantic relationship, amplifying feelings of loneliness and isolation within the relationship.
Compounding Negative Emotions
When hearing loss occurs, it’s definitely not only the partner with healthy hearing that experiences negative emotions. Hearing loss takes a significant toll as negative emotions cascade and causes immense mental health concerns as well.
Experiencing hearing loss often leads individuals to feel unheard just the same. But beyond this, it’s also common to feel frustrated, a build-up of resentment, loss of companionship, loneliness, and a general decrease in positive emotions. It becomes challenging to joke with family and friends or enjoy an intimate conversation with a partner if hearing loss is chipping away at communication abilities.
Resolving The Impacts Of Hearing Loss
The impacts of hearing loss are often devastating in unseen ways, especially within romantic relationships. But even so, it’s possible to overcome these and all other challenges associated with hearing loss.
If you have relevant reasons to suspect that your partner is experiencing this ailment, it’s key to try and communicate your concerns. It’s also essential to try and communicate your challenges with your partner if you believe that you are experiencing hearing loss. With this, you must note the signs and symptoms of hearing loss instead of only reporting the impacts listed above.
The signs to look for include always turning the volume up when watching movies, constantly asking that you repeat what was said, trouble understanding phone conversations, speaking in a loud voice, inability to hear the doorbell, and having a hard time hearing background noises.
Next, make an appointment with a healthcare professional to conduct a hearing test. From here, your doctor will advise the available treatments depending on the diagnosis and cause of hearing loss.
Some treatment options to expect are possible removal of wax or obstruction that’s leading to hearing loss, potential long-term infection in the middle ear might be treated with suitable antibiotics, or tympanoplasty corrective surgery following an injury or infection treatment. In addition to these treatments, hearing aids are also commonly recommended. Other treatments for hearing loss include middle ear implants, cochlear implants, or prescribed lip-reading or signed speech lessons.
But in addition to a hearing test and considering available treatments, it’s also important to discuss the broader impacts of hearing loss and how it has affected your relationship. This is an excellent opportunity to clear up all the negative emotions that may have been compounding over some time. Simply treating the source of the problems is not enough because it’s still essential to rebuild the relationship.
