Communication in a Relationship Impacted by Hearing Loss

It is frustrating when you live with someone who has a hearing loss! When you have to repeat something over and over again before you are understood, your nerves can get frayed. Arguments can happen because of misunderstandings or out of sheer frustration when trying to be understood.

A normal conversation is spontaneous. When someone says, “Look at that!” but then has to repeat several times, the conversation can deteriorate to a frustrated, “Never mind”. Communication can become limited over time, with very short answers losing the richness, the flow and the humour of easy conversation. A loss of intimacy can begin to happen and there can be a sense of loneliness for one or both partners in a relationship where hearing loss is present.

Loved ones sometimes try to “jump in” to conversations where several speakers are involved, and serve as the interpreter for the hearing-impaired person. Misunderstanding, friction and resentment can result. It is very difficult to ask someone to repeat for a third time when necessary and it can be quite aggravating to be the one doing the repeating.

Here are a few simple suggestions for the hearing-impaired person to help ease the situation and enhance communications:

• Tell people you have a hearing loss. The statement can create an immediate understanding and cooperation from the people involved.

• Ask people to speak directly to you, and keep your eyes on the person speaking!

• Remind people not to speak from behind you, or from another room.

• If you can benefit from hearing instruments, wear them!

Keep in mind, the more severe the hearing loss, the more important it is to use listening and speaking tools that make communication easier. If you are dealing with a loved one who is hearing impaired, see it as an opportunity to develop patience … so appreciated and necessary in this situation.

Hearing loss develops slowly over time and is a health condition that all too often gets ignored. Everyone should have their hearing tested once a year.

The longer people go without getting help for their hearing loss, the harder it is for them to relearn how to hear. The brain, where sound is processed, has forgotten many sounds, and must relearn how to hear. An example is background noise, like the whirring of a fan. Most of us can “tune out” such sounds, but a person trying to adjust to hearing aids is often distracted and confused by these background sounds.

We live in a very noisy world, and if we live long enough, each of us will likely lose some of our hearing. Help is available in the form of very sophisticated hearing devices, tailored for each particular hearing loss. These new aids are not at all like Grandpa’s, and can be a huge boon to the life and the relationships of anyone in need.