Relationships rise and fall on communication. One might even say that the definition of a relationship is to relate with someone else, and the most direct way to relate is to have a conversation. If you think back to the last relationship issue you had, miscommunication was almost inevitably part of the problem. If we’re able to share our thoughts and feelings and to reciprocate by listening to what another person has to say, then the baseline of a relationship is established.
However, untreated hearing loss can get in the way of relating with others. When another person has something to say, we need to be able to understand them, and verbal communication is one of the best ways to connect. Let’s consider some of the ways that untreated hearing loss can interfere with your relationships. With these possibilities in mind, the benefits of treatment extend not only to your health and wellness but also to the health and wellness of your relationships.
Untreated Hearing Loss and Communication
Relationship experts emphasize that different types of communication are necessary but build strong bonds and trust. In the first place, you need to have the ability to disclose the deepest parts of yourself with one another. This process requires emotional vulnerability, but why is vulnerability so important? Trust needs to be established through the back-and-forth process of risk and connection. When you are vulnerable about something personal in your life, you take a subtle risk that the other person will turn away. When you find that the other person does not turn away, you gradually build trust. Disclosure is at the root of this trust-building process. Although there are other ways to disclose things about yourself, verbal communication is one of the most direct ways to engage in deep disclosure.
Although deep disclosure is important to strengthening your relationship, experts also emphasize the importance of casual conversation. Believe it or not, trust is established through simple everyday conversation in addition to those deep conversations. When we tell another person about our observations of the world, share jokes, and speak directly about our opinions at the moment, we experience the security of another’s presence. Although we aren’t building trust through emotional vulnerability, these casual conversations might work on an even more fundamental level, built on the physical presence of another person through time. As you can see, verbal communication is the way this form of trust is built, as well. When another person mentions their thoughts, opinions, and humorous take on the world through verbal communication, we need to be able to hear what they have to say. Untreated hearing loss can get in the way of both types of communication.
When someone tries to disclose something deeply vulnerable, hearing loss can get in the way of your full understanding. Picking up on the nuance and tone of communication is crucial to these conversations, so mild hearing loss can be an issue, as well. Untreated hearing loss can be even more detrimental to the casual conversations you have with someone else. When someone blurts out a thought or joke, the conditions might not be right to hear what the other person has said. Losing that connection can cause problems in relationships both in practical and emotional terms.
The Benefits of Treatment
The good news is that when you get treatment for hearing loss, both types of communication can benefit. Your improved hearing ability can help you understand exactly what your loved one needs to say when they disclose something deep about themselves. Treatment also helps with the casual comments that your loved one says in everyday life. Particularly when they speak in another room or make quiet asides, your hearing aids can build a sense of a shared life together.
If you’re interested in getting treatment for hearing loss, it can greatly benefit your relationships. The first step is to make an appointment for a hearing test. Once we have a full diagnosis of your hearing needs, we can pair you with the right set of needs to improve your communication ability. Don’t hesitate to make an appointment for a hearing test and consultation. Your loved ones will thank you!
