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.
The audiologist will sit down with both of you and explain exactly what the issues are, how much loss there is, and what your spouse can expect going forward. The doctor may recommend hearing aids or cochlear implants as the best course of action. It's not a life threatening situation however, and your spouse has time to decide how he wants to handle it.
In the meantime, you can help your partner by adjusting the way you speak to him. Make a conscious effort to look at him directly when you're speaking. If you need to get his attention, you might touch his back, shoulder or hand first. Background noises make it harder for him to hear, so if you want to have a conversation, turn the television down or off. You don't have to yell at him. It won't help. Neither will talking to him as if English is his second language.
Going to public places, like restaurants or the mall, can be difficult because you can't adjust the background noise. In this case, pointing and gesturing are acceptable ways to get his attention. Don't chew, smoke, or cover your mouth when you're talking to your spouse. Remembering all this can be annoying, but you have to have patience. He didn't choose this loss. Finding ways to share a laugh about it, will help.
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.
The audiologist will sit down with both of you and explain exactly what the issues are, how much loss there is, and what your spouse can expect going forward. The doctor may recommend hearing aids or cochlear implants as the best course of action. It's not a life threatening situation however, and your spouse has time to decide how he wants to handle it.
In the meantime, you can help your partner by adjusting the way you speak to him. Make a conscious effort to look at him directly when you're speaking. If you need to get his attention, you might touch his back, shoulder or hand first. Background noises make it harder for him to hear, so if you want to have a conversation, turn the television down or off. You don't have to yell at him. It won't help. Neither will talking to him as if English is his second language.
Going to public places, like restaurants or the mall, can be difficult because you can't adjust the background noise. In this case, pointing and gesturing are acceptable ways to get his attention. Don't chew, smoke, or cover your mouth when you're talking to your spouse. Remembering all this can be annoying, but you have to have patience. He didn't choose this loss. Finding ways to share a laugh about it, will help.
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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