By Dr. Cori Palmer, Expert Hearing
“A relationship without communication is just two people.” Unknown
Have you ever told your spouse something important only to be followed by their reply of “huh?” Or do you find yourself repeating almost everything you say? If your family member has hearing loss, it does not only affect him/her but the entire family. Communication is the core of every relationship and hearing loss impedes effective communication.
Studies show that untreated hearing loss can negatively impact our relationships with family and friends and particularly with those closest to us, such as our romantic partners. Even small day-to-day interactions that may seem trivial are the cornerstone of a healthy relationship. Think about common questions such as “how was your day” or “what do you want for dinner?” Hearing loss can stand in the way of these small but important exchanges. When there are breakdowns in these interactions both parties can feel isolated and or even ignored.
When patients first come for an evaluation, my initial goal is to determine how they feel about their hearing as well as their family member’s perspective. Hearing loss often comes with emotions such as denial, stress, anxiety, depression, isolation, and frustration. When I ask the patient if they have difficulty hearing, a common response is to place the blame on their communication partner:
If she would speak up, I would not have a problem hearing her.
He always talks to me from the other room.
In contrast, the partner will report their frustrations of not being heard and constantly having to repeat themselves because their spouse is not listening. Almost always I see frustration in the responses of both parties.
Here are a few tips to help foster better communication:
- Speak clearly! Shouting does not help with understanding. In fact, it usually makes it harder.
- Get the person’s attention before talking.
- Face your partner and certainly be in the SAME room when having a conversation.
- If you were not heard, try rephrasing what was said instead of repeating the same phrase repeatedly.
At Expert Hearing, we’ve made it our mission to educate the community on the importance of hearing healthcare. Everyone should include a hearing evaluation as part of their healthcare battery. In addition to the emotional aspects noted in this article, untreated hearing loss can also have an impact on earlier cognitive decline. These links should no longer be ignored!
Our team is here to help! By assisting our patients with their hearing healthcare, we are empowering them with the tools to communicate with their loved ones. Call us to schedule your complimentary evaluation today!
