Healthy communication is the biggest factor for couples who plan on ‘living happily ever after.’ This simple secret to a successful marriage allows both partners to convey their thoughts and emotions openly to each other. Take away this ability to talk, hear, and respond and the relationship is bound to crumble. Unfortunately, if one or both partners have undiagnosed or untreated hearing loss, it can prove fatal to the relationship.
A U.S. study of baby boomers by Energizer Battery Inc. in 2007 demonstrated that relationships are failing and marriages are ending in divorce because of unmanaged hearing loss. The researchers revealed that:
- Nearly half (48%) of those surveyed said their marriages have suffered because of their spouses' hearing loss.
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More than half (57%) feel their spouse is reluctant to get their hearing checked, and 46% believe that denial is the main reason.
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Even more respondents (65%) indicated they feel annoyed when their significant other cannot hear them.
There is a fairly simple solution to ensure that communication with your sweetheart doesn’t suffer.
Hear and be heard
The best way to treat hearing loss is with hearing aids. With the wide availability of many technologically advanced digital hearing aids currently on the market – and new ones being developed all the time ‐ there is no excuse not to get tested and fit. New open‐fit hearing aids are sleek, tiny and allow for natural sound amplification.
If you’re worried that wearing hearing aids will make you look old and unattractive, you couldn’t be further from the truth. Hearing loss has no age group. Children as young as infants, teenagers and able‐bodied folks of all ages have hearing loss.
It’s tough to acknowledge that you have difficulty hearing. The I‐can‐hear‐just‐fine argument can only go so far when it is obvious that you have to strain to hear a conversation. Denial is a powerful deterrent, and you should never give in to it, especially when your health, well‐being, and more importantly, your relationships are concerned. Indeed, your overall quality of life is vastly improved as hearing aids allow you to interact socially and emotionally with those around you.
Being able to communicate with your spouse and be supported is certainly worth getting your hearing tested. Just remember, a happy marriage, good quality of life, and hearing aids go hand in hand!
