Age-related hearing loss is the most common form of hearing loss, an overlooked part of health & wellbeing.. But the majority who have it are not getting help. And that could be very dangerous.
I think you're right about the stigma, but another thing you mentioned ... the gradual nature of the loss ... also contributes to the denial. My grandma was in the denial stage forever, calling me a mumbler. She never did get a hearing aid. Too vain. My MIL is convinced that we talk low in order to leave her out of conversations. She got a hearing aid, but refuses to use it. So very sad, not only because of the damage it does to relationships and quality of life, but also for the impact it has on cognitive abilities. Thank you for drawing attention to this issue. I hope I can recognize it when it happens to me.
Oh, how sad! Your grandmother, your MIL...they are missing out on so much, so unnecessarily. Thank you for sharing your stories, and thank you for reading.
I think you're right about the stigma, but another thing you mentioned ... the gradual nature of the loss ... also contributes to the denial. My grandma was in the denial stage forever, calling me a mumbler. She never did get a hearing aid. Too vain. My MIL is convinced that we talk low in order to leave her out of conversations. She got a hearing aid, but refuses to use it. So very sad, not only because of the damage it does to relationships and quality of life, but also for the impact it has on cognitive abilities. Thank you for drawing attention to this issue. I hope I can recognize it when it happens to me.
Oh, how sad! Your grandmother, your MIL...they are missing out on so much, so unnecessarily. Thank you for sharing your stories, and thank you for reading.
Thanks for your comment, Cindy. Good to know it's on your list; good luck!
Thanks for the reminder, Sheryl. All true! Seeing the audiologist is next on my list of spring appointments.