Yes, hearing loss is a minor thing compared to living with a younger spouse who's unable to do things. I married a younger man, in the hope that he'd be able to be active with me. Bad choice, as, when he was confronted with a serious problem (back pain following a failed series of surgeries), he simply elected to retire from life, quit doing anything. He "retired" not quite seven years ago and is now unable to walk even short distances with the walker, refuses to use his cane (preferring to walk hunched over, which increases pain), refuses to do exercises that both relieve his pain and make it possible for him to be less inactive. He splits his time between the recliner and the couch. No meals in the dining room, which makes it too awkward to invite people over for dinner. Fortunately, we live on some property I bought 60 years ago, with lots of deer, elk, birds, etc. as neighbors, lots of outside work for me to do. I volunteer for various organizations, which does get me out of the house. Prior to his "retirement," we fished every weekend as sport fishing marketing is how we've made a living for decades. We have enough money to explore new places to fish, new things to see, but that's out. I do day trips; then he's forced to put the plated meal I leave for his dinner into the microwave, which he says is "too hard." Yes, hearing loss is just a little bump in the road compared to becoming a full-time caregiver.