My husband had been experiencing hearing loss for over 10 years. As I think about it today, it was something we did not talk about much - almost like it was 'shameful' to have a hearing loss.
I had learned to make sure I was facing him and spoke in a lower tone so he could hear me. For the first few years the constant 'huh?' every time I spoke was annoying, until I realized he truly could not hear my voice.
THEN - about 3 years ago I started talking with him and our adult children about the hearing loss. He was embarrassed and said we just needed to face him when we talk and quit mumbling.
It was particularly hard when we had family gatherings in restaurants, went to a theater or show downtown, or gatherings at church or with friends. An articulate, smart man, who loves to tell stories and socialize became more silent in social settings. He also started having some difficulty remembering some words or understanding what was said even when he could hear us.
The turning point was a few weeks ago when we met some friends from out of town at a local casino restaurant. We were all visiting and laughing, and I noticed my husband becoming distressed, anxious, and uncharacteristically silent. Suddenly, he said - "I am going to go outside." After I said goodbye to our friends, I went out to find my husband standing against the wall of the building with tears in his eyes. He said, "I could not hear any of that conversation."
My heart broke to see him that way, and I said - "We are going to get you a hearing aide this week." He was concerned about the price. I told him that his quality of life was more important - and that I would go with him and take a hearing test too! We made an appointment with Lori at Miracle Ear on Meadow Lane. She tested us both, and she did a demo of the hearing aide for my husband.
Lori was easily able to connect with my husband with empathy and education. At the end of the appointment we placed the order for the hearing aides. My husband has just completed his first week wearing them. He is 78 years old, and has a smart phone, so the fact that he can control his own ability to hear the way he wants to hear by using the phone to focus on conversations or watch TV or be in crowded environments is phenomenal. Having the ease of control over this important function of his life was an imperative for him.
Together we practiced different environments, and while he is getting used to hearing sounds he has not heard for years (like the clicking of the turn signal, the chirping of the birds in our yard, the lady with the high squeaky voice - and more.) - he is being patient with this - knowing that he must re-train his brain to comprehend and process the information. Lori said it is like 'rehab' - learning to hear again.
Thank you Lori - for your patience - for answering my persistent questions - for giving me information to research the impact of hearing loss on cognitive decline - for becoming a friend and lifesaver for my husband of 54 years. I see the happy-go-lucky laid-back guy that loves to harvest the stories of others to re-tell, and loves people and connections. For everything, I am grateful.
For anyone considering getting hearing aides - I have this advice based on our experience. Don't wait too long! Don't worry about the cost. Financing is available. I do hope someday Medicare will pay at least a portion for this very important quality-of-life treatment. This is not a 'cosmetic' treatment . Human connection is a basic human need of all people.
Take care of yourself and take care of one another. Caring is what makes us human.