For many men, hearing loss comes with age. However, losing the ability to hear is never easy. As the wife of a man suffering from hearing loss, there is a lot you can do to help your husband deal with this problem effectively. Below are some things your husband wants you to know about his condition.
- He isn’t ignoring you.
Popular culture tells us that men like to “tune” women out when they speak. If your husband suffers from hearing loss, however, chances are he isn’t ignoring you on purpose. His condition may cause him to misunderstand what you say or even miss entire conversations, but his intentions are honorable. To make sure your husband hears what you say, be sure that you have his attention before you begin speaking.
- Speaking louder isn’t always enough.
Some people mistakenly believe that speaking louder is all you need to do to help someone with hearing loss. However, speaking louder isn’t the only way you can help when communicating with a person who cannot hear as well as they used to. You can also help your husband to understand what you are saying by facing him when you speak, using facial expressions and gestures to communicate meaning and enunciating your words clearly and carefully.
- He doesn’t want you to see him differently.
Even though your husband is experiencing problems with his hearing, he still wants you to see him as the same strong, vibrant man he was before this problem occurred. He doesn’t want you to treat him like he is disabled or fragile.
- He wants to speak for himself.
You know your husband is hard of hearing, and you want to help him in any way you can, so you may be tempted to speak on his behalf or discourage others from trying to communicate with him in order to save him embarrassment. However, your husband still has his own thoughts and ideas, and he still wants to communicate with the people around him. Even though it may take a little more time or some accommodations from friends and family, allow your husband to retain his independence as much as possible.
- He needs reassurance.
No man wants to feel like he is getting older or weaker. With his hearing diminished, it is more important than ever before to provide him with ample reassurance. Let him know that you love him and that you still find him attractive. Make sure he knows that his hearing loss doesn’t change your feelings.
Providing support to a husband who loses his hearing can be challenging, but it is essential for your relationship and well-being. By following the tips above, you can help your husband navigate this difficult time in his life.