Let me tell you about one of the most important things I have learnt as an audiologist and as someone who has hearing loss herself. It’s how even just a little untreated hearing loss, can negatively shake up relationships, especially marriages. Our hearing loss doesn’t happen just to ourselves but can negatively impact our relationships with family, friends, colleagues, but in particularly those closest to us, such as our romantic partners.
Day to day communication among couples, whether about important matters or those that seem trivial are the cornerstone of a healthy and happy relationship. Untreated hearing loss can cause those small, but vitally important everyday spontaneous interactions to be lost or become frustrating. In fact, it is often the individual without hearing issues who gets fed up first and books a hearing test for their partner. Untreated hearing loss can sneak up on you over time and before you know it, it’s causing a breakdown in communication with those you love best.
Research makes it clear that untreated hearing loss produces feelings of frustration, embarrassment and distress for both the person with the untreated hearing loss, their partner and for the relationship in general. Most participants mourned the loss of spontaneity and the difficulties that arise through just wanting to share small unexpected incidents, a hilarious comment, or just observations and small talk in their every day interactions. That frustration can lead to resentment, which leads to further breakdown in communication and intimacy. The result? A sense of loneliness and isolation for both partners.
Imagine trying to have a heart-to-heart conversation in a noisy café, having a quiet giggle about something sweet a grandchild has just done, or whispering sweet nothings in a dimly lit room like the bedroom, when you have untreated hearing loss – tough, right?
We need to spread the word about how important hearing is for communication and keeping relationships strong, especially as we age. Every person over 50 should have a full hearing test (not a simple screen), and if needed, seek treatment as early as possible, and ensure they see an audiologist, such as Shevawn from Conversations Hearing Clinic, who will provide them with Best Practices and a Gold Standard of Care, so you are receiving optimal results and actually benefitting from your amplification.
It’s important to understand that hearing loss is not just a problem for the person who has it. It’s a problem for everyone around them. If you’re experiencing hearing loss, or notice your partner is experiencing hearing loss, it is important to tell your partner or spouse that it’s affecting your relationship.
In conclusion, treat hearing loss before it can lead to a breakdown in communication, frustration, and resentment and also to prevent reduced social activity, social isolation, lower levels of self-esteem, loneliness, and reduced quality of life and to maintain healthy relationships with those around us. Instead come and see us at Conversations Hearing Clinic and choose healthy, happy relationships, maintaining an active social life and an increased quality of life!
Conversations Hearing Clinic 07) 5356 9385 – in the Woolworths Complex – Local, independently owned and can provide the best options for your hearing needs.