subject: When Your Spouse Needs A Hearing Test [print this page] Does your spouse need a hearing test? Often times, individuals who live together can tell differences in the way they listen and communicate. Yet, when you live with someone, you may not notice changes in the other person that are gradual. The problem is that this type of loss can happen over time and as it does it can be hard to spot until the problem is severe. If you take the time to consider a few common symptoms, though, you may be able to get your spouse to realize there is a problem, and that further screening is necessary to potentially fix it.
What Did You Say?
How many times do you get the response "What did you say?" If you have to repeat yourself quite often, it may be because your spouse is stressed or busy. He or she may not be thinking about what you have to say and that is causing a loss of communication. In other cases, it may be because he or she is unable to hear some of the sounds in the words you say. If the other person is listening to you, watching you speak and cannot understand what you said, it may be time for a hearing test.
The Phone Situation
One of the most common first symptoms of loss occurs when the phone becomes a problem. In cases of severe loss, the individual may not even hear the phone ring. In other cases, he or she may become frustrated because the sounds on the other end are not clear or seem muffled. This is common in situations where loss is occurring. It is often the case that you can hear just fine when speaking to someone on the phone but your spouse may become frustrated that the other person is mumbling or that the phone is not working properly.
No Longer Talking
In some cases, spouses will become frustrated enough that they stop talking or stop holding conversations at length. The problem is not just about being angry at each other, though a lack of communication can lead to this. Rather, it is often brought on by the lack of being able to communicate due to reduced ability to hear. If this is happening, it may be time to get a hearing test.
Once you schedule a hearing test and find out if there is a problem, you can begin to work towards a resolution of that problem. The use of a device, for example, can be very effective in improving the overall ability to hear. You may find yourself stressed about what is happening in your daily life. If it can be improved through a device, why not do so?
