Have you ever wondered if your hearing might be deteriorating? In most cases, probably not. Hearing loss rarely happens overnight. It has a way of sneaking up on us very slowly and incrementally. It can take so long to become noticeable that you may have been living with hearing loss for years before the signs start to add up. The rolled eyes and exasperated sighs from your partner or kids after they’ve had to repeat themselves again. The misunderstandings, miscommunication and mistakes at work. The polite yet strained requests by your neighbors to please turn down the volume on your TV or stereo.
Image by the Virtual Denise via Pixabay
We all tend to assume that hearing loss is something that only affects us in our later years. However, there are many reasons why we can start to lose our hearing in our 30s, 40s or even 20s. And when you’re a parent, a loss of hearing can be detrimental to your relationships with your family and your ability to look after your kids. Seeing an audiologist for a hearing aid fitting could make you a more effective, happy parent. Here’s how…
It can make it easier to communicate with your family
Communication is the key to a happy and harmonious family. But for communication to be effective, everyone under your roof needs to feel as though they are listened to, valued and respected. And when you struggle to hear others in your family, they may feel ignored, especially if your hearing problem goes undiagnosed. Taking steps to improve your hearing can make communications more harmonious and less strained in your home.
It can make you feel better about socializing
Parents need to be able to get off the clock every once in a while. Enjoying some rest and relaxation in the company of friends can help you to feel rested and more like a well-rounded human being rather than a worker drone. This can make you happier as a parent and reduce the risks of resentments starting to develop. The trouble is that many people with hearing loss find socializing difficult. They can struggle to follow conversations with their friends in crowded places and this can lead them to feel embarrassed, frustrated and isolated. A hearing aid can help you to reclaim your social life.
It can help you to feel happier and more a part of your family
Hearing loss can build a wall between you and your family. Your kids might stop asking you questions and instead ask your partner. It may start to look as though they prefer to interact with them and make you feel left out. And while you may consciously know that this is not the case, the subconscious mind can be harder to persuade. Being proactive about your hearing can make you feel happier, less paranoid and better integrated into your family.
It can make your home calmer and more patient
Hearing loss can introduce frustration, anxiety and sadness into the dynamic of your household. And this can make you feel alienated and angry, exacerbating the inevitable anxieties that come with parenthood. As you and your family get used to your hearing aid, however, it can restore calm and harmony to your household.
