Can you hear me now?

Diane Dennis RN

50plus Magazine

Mary’s husband Robert is a retired Air Force pilot. As is common for many who’ve spent years in the cockpit of powerful military planes, Robert’s hearing is now impaired from overexposure to high, sustained noise levels. Mary has gently nudged him to get hearing aids, which she knows would be paid for by his Veteran’s insurance. She longs to carry on conversations that are less stressful and more enjoyable, but Robert will not budge.

While many are aware of the resistance many have to wearing hearing aids, it only really hits home when you are the one who needs them. While often invisible to others, the wearer can feel “revealed” as being impaired, making them vulnerable to ageism.

Hard of hearing individuals are often not aware of the severity of their impairment. After all they don’t know what all they’re missing, much to the frustration of their friends and loved ones. Mary longs for the days when they could finish each other’s sentences, and their close communication in “their” language, which included whispers, and subtle cues. Now talking is a chore, an ordeal that often leads to arguments.

Sadly, it’s common for the hard of hearing to blame their partner for not speaking loudly enough. The hearing impaired often raise their own voice to compensate, often embarrassing and/or irritating others in social settings, in public and at home.

Chances are you know or are married to someone hard of hearing. If they’re like most, they are either in denial about their hearing loss or defensive when approached about it. Still, it’s invaluable to press the issue. Not only can going untended strain relationships and isolate the person impaired, but it turns out it can lead to even more serious health issues.

Hearing loss affects brain function. As the saying goes, if you don’t use it, you lose it. With hearing loss, as fewer signals go to the brain, it declines. On the flipside, one’s brain must work harder to process sounds, taking mental resources away that might be used for other activities.

Cost is a leading reason for reluctance to purchase hearing aids. Historically, they’ve been very expensive, easy to lose and difficult to operate. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits for hearing aids and exams.

Now there’s more: the FDA has approved over-the-counter hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss, which may lead to more lower cost options.

Technology is stepping into the space with new phone apps that assist hearing through smartphone-compatible aids. One, Sound Amplifier, pairs an android devices’ microphone and headphones to serve as a hearing aid.

Tip: Before you or your hearing impaired companion seeks hearing ads, see a physician for an ear exam. Wax buildup alone can impair hearing, and a simple ear wash can improve or even restore hearing.