Hearing Loss Can Challenge Even Best Marriages, And Hearing Aids Can Save Them

August 10, 2009

Communications can be problematic even in the happiest of marriages and when one spouse suffers from hearing loss, that creates even greater challenges. It’s estimated that as many as 8 out of 10 people who actually need a hearing aid do actually wear one.

For the spouse with the hearing loss, they may grow frustrated not being able to catch every word their partner says. Petty arguments can easily begin because the partner with hearing loss will start guessing at what was said, causing hurt feelings and misunderstandings. Soon, the partner with the hearing loss may become reclusive, losing interest in doing even the simplest of daily activities with their spouse such as grocery shopping, or declining social invitations with friends because they feel out of the loop. In extreme cases, the partner with hearing loss may even experience feelings of paranoia. The hearing loss partner may feel unduly criticized by the hearing spouse for not paying attention, for talking too loudly at inappropriate times, or for selectively hearing only what they want to hear.

Likewise, the hearing partner gets frustrated having to repeat themselves on more than one occasion. They may feel embarrassed because their partner starts to talk very loudly without realizing it due to hearing loss. This spouse may feel insulted or disrespected when their partner walks away in the middle of a conversation because he or she didn’t hear a response. This spouse may start to resent their partner’s inability to enjoy socializing as they once did. Soon communication deteroriates to the bare minimum because it’s just too much trouble to have to keep repeating everything.

But just as hearing loss challenges communication in a marriage, communication can also help fix it. If you suspect a partner is suffering from hearing loss, have a talk with them in a loving and kind manner to encourage them to get a medical check-up. Most people mistakenly feel that if they ignore the problem, it will simply go away, or they feel ashamed that their loss of hearing is a sign of aging.

Hearing loss isn’t a matter of false pride, it’s a matter of quality of life and good health. The restoration of good communication to a marriage can be as simple as one of the partners accepting the fact they need a digital hearing aid and getting one in order to restore good communications to their relationship.

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Filed Under Health