Denial After Hearing Loss: 4 Simple Ways to Care For Your Loved One

Is your loved one going through a stressful and emotional time due to their hearing loss? Maybe you are looking for ways to understand them and help them deal with their challenges. But what do you do if they always get annoyed at you for yelling at them when you are having a conversation?

When someone loses their hearing, they have to overcome plenty of challenges, such as their fears, social barriers, and typical stereotypes. Rather than doing that, most of them opt to live in denial as they adjust to the new situations.

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Image via Adobe Stock, by Damir Khabirov

When your loved one is in denial, you will often clash when you get tired of continually asking them to speak louder or repeat things. It can get exhausting. Moreover, the disbelief interferes with their treatment and ability to tackle any challenges.

However, there are several ways you can help your loved ones get past denial. Here are some suggestions

Learn What it Feels Like to Live with Hearing Loss

Instead of being frustrated and hurt due to miscommunication, you should take the initiative to understand what it feels like to live with hearing loss. When you know how they feel, you will be able to be empathetic and patient with them.

You can ask them questions to get a better understanding of their experience, or you may use a hearing loss simulation to understand how their world sounds clearly.

Advocate for Them

You need to show moral support to your loved one by speaking up for them. A good example is before a gathering; you can inform the attending on some of the best ways to enhance a successful communication without too much background noise.

You can as well sit next to your loved one and help them get any information that they miss.

Knowing How to Talk to Someone with Hearing Loss

Your relationship may be in jeopardy if your loved one suffers from hearing loss since communication becomes a problem. It takes more than words to have effective communication.

Your facial expressions and gestures help by giving meaning to the message.

Therefore, before speaking to your loved one, first, grab their attention and talk with your mouth uncovered. Avoid distorting your mouth by chewing gum while talking. It makes it harder for your loved one to read your lips. If they are cranky or upset, try to be patient and understanding of them.

If you want to speak effectively with your loved one, you should learn more about how to communicate with people with hearing loss.

Provide your Partner with Emotional Support

You can assist your loved one by getting involved in their healthcare matters. You can choose to attend with them all their doctor’s appointments. The meeting is also the right place for you to learn more about hearing loss and find better ways to live with your spouse and improve their quality of life.

For a relationship not to crumble and break down, there needs to be effective communication. However, when your loved one loses hearing, your connection will be under threat due to a communication decline.

You need to stand up for your loved one by being a strong support. You can encourage your loved one to speak to an audiologist about using hearing aids. Additionally, encourage good health for the whole family by ensuring your food has the right nutrition. You will be of much help to your loved one if you remain positive and patient.