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Dealing with a spouse who has profound hearing loss.
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Mar 3 8:48am | Replies (62)Comment receiving replies
@leeda5 & @thisoldewe Yes! The psychosocial aspect of hearing loss is huge and hugely neglected. Anyone who understands psychology knows that isolation causes depression and loneliness. Why training in the field of audiology doesn't include training in counseling is a mystery. HLAA folks have been asking for this for decades. The state conference in Wisconsin on the weekend of April 26 & 27 will include presentations on mental health as it relates to hearing loss. It's an open conference so come on up to or over to Wisconsin! I tried to attach a document below but it looks goofy, so we'll see what happens on uploading. Nevertheless, information is available at http://www.hlaawi.org How can we get those spouses who have become recluses to build their lives back?
Replies to "@leeda5 & @thisoldewe Yes! The psychosocial aspect of hearing loss is huge and hugely neglected. Anyone..."
Julie,
Thank you for all that you do and have done since the beginning of HLAA/SSHH. I think we met at last year's Convention. I've been involved for about 10 years in SE PA (hello to @leeda5) and feel better about myself every year as I am able to reach more people who are like I was 10 years ago - clueless, knew no one with hearing loss, and an Audi who just wanted to sell the latest HA being pushed by her Rep. Now I am giving presentations at Retirement Communities on various topics. Next month it is on "The Early Signs of Hearing Loss - When Is It Time To Get Help". The idea for the topic was actually Hearing spouses who are struggling so much with HL spouses. Our Chapter is also presenting a Hybrid meeting March 14 on "The Impact of Hearing Loss on Daily Life" which will include discussions on the psychosocial aspects of HL.
BTW your image came through very clearly. The SE PA HLAA Chapters are doing a similar One Day Conference outside of Phila. on 4/13. We have Barbara Kelley, Exec. Director of HLAA speaking as well as Tina Childress, who I see is talking at yours. These small conferences are a great way to get information, but most importantly get a chance to meet others who are going through, or have gone through, whatever hearing issues you might need help with. If anyone on this blog is within 2 hours of Philly they should try to attend. Last year's was very successful and fun.
BTW I just read your little book you and your granddaughter published. It was so well done - very Plain English and easy to read with a simple message throughout.
Good luck with your conference. Wish I was closer to WI, but hopefully I see you in AZ in June.
MikeM
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Thanks for the info Julie and yes, I so agree that the psychological aspects are so often ignored... the results felt by the person and the family for years to come.
Would love to come to this conference - sounds wonderful! But I must send my best wishes instead.
For the reclusive spouse: Screening for depression would be the first step: depression would be a reasonable response to such a life altering diagnosis.
Then, if all clear, the dependency between the deaf partner and the hearing partner could creatively addressed. Often, the deaf partner can only be reclusive because of the benefit of having a hearing partner to fill in life gaps.
So the hearing partner could plan a 'vacation' or a 'family emergency,' which removes the hearing partner from the home for a while -- 3-4 weeks? or maybe just a weekend would be helpful. This would help the deaf partner to address what they need, and discover what their new life is, without the other partner [ of course leaving the right contacts for the deaf community input/care, etc. in place, as necessary].
However, such Tough Love tactics must be used with care, depending on the situation. This is not a cure-all.
The adjustments are great for all and each of the family members - some more successful than others in making the transition. If the deaf person initially refuses to go to therapy, then the other members of the family should go. There is much to be learned and understood by all the family in this brave new world!
All the best.