If your loved one has untreated hearing loss and you find yourself constantly helping them hear, you may be enabling their reluctance to get the help they need. Although you’re trying to be helpful, in the long run, this enabling behavior can be harmful to both of you, creating a cycle of codependency and resentment. When it comes to persistent untreated hearing loss, ‘help’ can turn into a habit. That is where Dr. Elena Maresca can be of help to explain to your loved one that they need hearing aids to help make life more enjoyable again for everyone. Call for an appointment at (631) 780-HEAR(4327) so you don’t have to repeat words, sentences, and interpret thoughts and ideas that were missed.
Untreated Hearing loss and codependency
In many cases, hearing loss happens gradually, symptoms include trouble understanding conversations, especially in noisy environments, and difficulty distinguishing the high-pitched sounds in speech, such as ‘s’ or ‘th’. Although keeping a family member engaged in the communication circle by using compensatory behaviors begins innocently, the resulting reactions and sentiments that occur often adversely affect family dynamics in one of two ways:
- Codependency. The family member with hearing loss becomes dependent upon a spouse or significant other to be their “ears.” As the hearing loss becomes more profound, the couple becomes reclusive and avoids social gatherings with friends and family. This increases the risk of cognitive decline, especially for the one with untreated hearing loss.
- Resentment. Those who want their loved one to seek treatment for hearing loss may develop feelings of anger, depression, stress, fatigue and impatience, especially if the hearing loss goes untreated. The individual with hearing loss can develop resentment, as well, as family members put increased pressure on them to enlist professional help.
It’s important to realize that with many years of untreated hearing loss by one family member and development of compensatory behaviors by everyone, it is the entire family that has the hearing problem. Dr. Elena Maresca has a caring way of explaining to everyone on how to ease the relationship strain caused by hearing loss.
What’s the solution?
Because age-related hearing loss happens gradually, family members should be observant. Persistent requests to have others repeat what they’ve said or the inability to hear common sounds, such as a telephone or doorbell ring, are all indicators a loved one may have hearing loss.
Try not to slip into compensation and risk caregiver burnout. Your loved one will be better off if they don’t spend years relying on you to compensate for their hearing loss, especially when treatment is available and effective.
The first step…A hearing test.
The best way to catch hearing loss at its onset is to receive an annual hearing assessment by an audiologist like Dr Elena Maresca. Insurance often covers these costs and some carriers will even cover hearing aids. Visit our website for more information at liaudiology.com.
Hearing aids are ‘brain’ aids
In many cases, hearing aids will be the recommended treatment. Of course, getting to this point may be the hardest part of the journey: If your loved one has been in denial about their hearing loss, this is normal and quite common. It may be useful to point out to your loved one that hearing aids are good for their health. They may not be aware that hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline and causes listening fatigue and overall exhaustion. Stop missing out on life, call Dr. Elena Maresca for an appointment and evaluation to make life more enjoyable.