Getting older isn't easy. Many seniors start to see signs that their bodies are beginning to wear out. If you have been married for a long time, you know when your spouse is changing. You might notice your husband is turning the television up louder than usual or missing half of what you say. Even though he denies it, you suspect you have a husband hard of hearing.
He may not want to admit it, and getting him to see an audiologist might be a real struggle, but you must do whatever necessary to convince to get his hearing tested. You might need to set up the appointment, drive him to it, and keep him company in the waiting room. If you're right and he has a problem, you both have to decide what to do next.
Meeting with the audiologist after the exam will give you a lot of information. This person can explain how much loss there is and what kind. He may recommend you talk to an otologist about cochlear implants or suggest a hearing aid. Since this is not a life and death situation, you and your partner don't have to make a decision immediately.
Now that you know exactly what the problem is, there are ways you can help your spouse. When talking to him, face him and look him in the eye. If he is standing with his back to you, you can reach out and touch his back or shoulder to let him know you're behind him. Background noises interfere with conversation. Instead of trying to talk over the television, turn it off or down. Yelling is counterproductive. Exaggerated enunciation is insulting.
When you're in public places where you can't avoid background noise, it's okay to point or gesture in some way to make yourself understood. Don't cover your mouth, smoke, or chew when you are talking. Communication can be frustrating, especially in the beginning, but you have to be patient. It's not his fault he can't hear. If both of you can find ways to laugh about it, so much the better.
Your husband is not an invalid, and you aren't required to treat him like one. He has a responsibility to help you as well. He can tell when something you do makes it harder for him to hear you. He will have to handle public situations. He will have to learn to listen. You may have been telling him this for years, but now he doesn't really have a choice.
It is especially important to plan for emergencies when you are living with someone with this kind of loss. You can find special devices that address this issue. They can be tactile, visual, or auditory. Some will flash and others vibrate.
Hearing loss is not fatal. It is inconvenient, and it has to be addressed. There are simple ways you can both accommodate the situation to make it less stressful. Communication, patience, perspective, and humor are good first steps.
He may not want to admit it, and getting him to see an audiologist might be a real struggle, but you must do whatever necessary to convince to get his hearing tested. You might need to set up the appointment, drive him to it, and keep him company in the waiting room. If you're right and he has a problem, you both have to decide what to do next.
Meeting with the audiologist after the exam will give you a lot of information. This person can explain how much loss there is and what kind. He may recommend you talk to an otologist about cochlear implants or suggest a hearing aid. Since this is not a life and death situation, you and your partner don't have to make a decision immediately.
Now that you know exactly what the problem is, there are ways you can help your spouse. When talking to him, face him and look him in the eye. If he is standing with his back to you, you can reach out and touch his back or shoulder to let him know you're behind him. Background noises interfere with conversation. Instead of trying to talk over the television, turn it off or down. Yelling is counterproductive. Exaggerated enunciation is insulting.
When you're in public places where you can't avoid background noise, it's okay to point or gesture in some way to make yourself understood. Don't cover your mouth, smoke, or chew when you are talking. Communication can be frustrating, especially in the beginning, but you have to be patient. It's not his fault he can't hear. If both of you can find ways to laugh about it, so much the better.
Your husband is not an invalid, and you aren't required to treat him like one. He has a responsibility to help you as well. He can tell when something you do makes it harder for him to hear you. He will have to handle public situations. He will have to learn to listen. You may have been telling him this for years, but now he doesn't really have a choice.
It is especially important to plan for emergencies when you are living with someone with this kind of loss. You can find special devices that address this issue. They can be tactile, visual, or auditory. Some will flash and others vibrate.
Hearing loss is not fatal. It is inconvenient, and it has to be addressed. There are simple ways you can both accommodate the situation to make it less stressful. Communication, patience, perspective, and humor are good first steps.
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