Hearing loss can threaten a person's self-image, making

it difficult to accept the idea of hearing loss. These

concerns appear more pronounced in men than in women. In

addition, because hearing loss is invisible, the person may feel

he or she is the only one with hearing loss. Actually, it's the

third most common health problem!

Gradual. Hearing loss usually develops so gradually

that the person is not aware of any change. Realization

usually comes only after the repeated complaints of family,

friends and co-workers - yet those same complaints may make

the individuals defensive and unwilling to listen! Instead,

the person may say. "I would hear the television fine if you

didn't set the volume so low," or "It's just that these new

telephones don't work as well as older phones.

During the denial stage, family members may

become as irritated at the refusal of the person to do something as

at the hearing difficulties themselves. Stress, friction and

arguments can be the result. ("You can hear me when

you want to!")

Coping

Once hearing loss has been acknowledged, efforts to

minimize the effects of the loss can begin. With proper help,

the person with the hearing loss usually can watch television

at a normal volume, hear family and friends more

effectively and with less effort, and ask people to repeat less often.

All these improvements make life easier for family and friends.

Nevertheless, some communication difficulties

remain. The person with the hearing loss will still need people to

repeat themselves occasionally, or may not be able to hear

a waiter in a noisy restaurant.

Because of these communication breakdowns,

family members may get impatient. They may also reduce their

frequency of interaction and tend not to talk about

unimportant matters because "it's not worth the effort."

In social situations, the normal hearing spouse may act

as an interpreter or intermediary in order to help the spouse

keep up with conversations. However, these efforts can

interfere with the husband-wife relationship because of the

change from previous, more independent roles.

Summary

Hearing loss has significant effects on the individual's

family and on relationships with family members. When

seeking help, the effects of the hearing loss on family

members and on the person with the loss should be considered.

Contributed by Andy Waits, Clinical Audiology of

Waits Hearing Aid Center.

<!--##############