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Real Talk: Hearing Loss Doesn’t Just Affect You.
It Affects the People You Love.

A round blue icon that encloses two people close to each other but divided by a lightning bolt representing relationship conflict.

It's a Bit Alarming

A landmark 12-year John Hopkins study revealed:2

Four icons saying the following: 1. Greater Risk of developing dementia. 2. Increased Odds of having a fall. 3. More money spend on health care. 4. Greater Chance of a relationship breakdown.
Photograph of a man with salt-and-pepper short hair. He's sitting on a stool in a dark blue background. He's leaning toward you with a look of interest on his face.

What Have You Got to Lose?

Maybe a Lot.

Feeling overwhelmed? That’s okay. You don’t have to take it all in at once. But if you’re still avoiding hearing aids because you think they “make you look old,” ask yourself this:

Which is more noticeable: hearing aids, or constantly asking people to repeat themselves?

Book a FREE, no obligation 
hearing screening today.*

BOOK APPOINTMENT

Want to learn more about other risks of untreated hearing loss?

Check out these pages:

Risks of Dementia

Odds of Having a Fall

Increased Health Care Spending

Sources

1. Geraci, J. (2011). AARP/American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), National Poll on Hearing Health Results Summary. Crux Research. 2. Brooks, D, Hallam, R and Mellor P. ‘The effects on significant others of providing a hearing aid to the hearing-impaired partner’, British Journal of Audiology, 2001 3. Echalier, Melissa. In it together: The impact of hearing loss on personal relationships. Report for Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), 2010 4. Anderson, D.L. and Noble, W. ‘Couples attributions about behaviours modulated by hearing impairment: Links with relationship satisfaction’ Int J Audiol., 2005 5. Scarinci N, Worrall L, Hickson L. The ICF and third-party disability: its application to spouses of older people with hearing impairment. Disabil Rehabil. 2009 Hearing devices are subject to state and federal laws regarding conditions of sale, including, without limitation, in-person initial visits, direct observations, and testing/medical screenings (subject to exceptions). Terms, conditions and product features may vary based on location and product type. Free hearing screening available at participating locations only. *Some restrictions and limitations may apply (including, without limitation, additional terms and conditions found at https://www.beltone.com/en-us, participating locations, and applicable professional service fees or other charges in connection with tests, evaluations, and/or screenings). Benefits of hearing instruments may vary by type and degree of hearing loss, noise environment, accuracy of hearing screening and proper fit. © 2025 GN Hearing A/S. All rights reserved. Beltone is a trademark of GN Hearing A/S.

BOOK APPOINTMENT

Untreated hearing loss often feels like just a personal problem but it’s not. The truth? It affects your relationships just as much as it affects you.

From spouses and partners to close friends and coworkers, the impact is shared. And for many, the emotional toll is heavier than they expected.

A woman sitting on a stool. She's leaning toward you with a look of interest on her face. The banner above includes a rectangle that encloses the words Real Talk. The headline is one-third lose touch with family and friends.

Living with untreated hearing loss creates friction—not just for you, but for those around you. Repeating things over and over. Misinterpreted conversations. Missed moments.

Understand the 
Risks of Ignoring 
Your Hearing
Loss


It’s hard to make a good 
decision about getting treatment for your hearing loss if you don’t have the whole picture.

What Have You

Got to Lose?

Maybe a Lot.

Feeling overwhelmed? That’s okay. You don’t have to take it all in at once. But if you’re still avoiding hearing aids because you think they “make you look old,” ask yourself this:

Which is more noticeable: hearing aids, or constantly asking people to repeat themselves?

Book a FREE, no obligation hearing screening today.* 

BOOK APPOINTMENT

Want to learn more about other risks of untreated hearing loss?Check out these pages:

Risk of Dementia

Odds of Having a Fall

Increased Health Care Spending

Photograph of a man with salt-and-pepper short hair. He's sitting on a stool in a dark blue background. He's leaning toward you with a look of interest on his face.

Sources

1. Geraci, J. (2011). AARP / American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), National Poll on Hearing Health Results Summary. Crux Research. 2. Brooks, D, Hallam, R and Mellor P. ‘The effects on significant others of providing a hearing aid to the hearing-impaired partner’, British Journal of Audiology, 2001 3. Echalier, Melissa. In it together: The impact of hearing loss on personal relationships. Report for Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), 2010 4. Anderson, D.L. and Noble, W. ‘Couples attributions about behaviours modulated by hearing impairment: Links with relationship satisfaction’ Int J Audiol., 2005 5. Scarinci N, Worrall L, Hickson L. The ICF and third-party disability: its application to spouses of older people with hearing impairment. Disabil Rehabil. 2009 Hearing devices are subject to state and federal laws regarding conditions of sale, including, without limitation, in-person initial visits, direct observations, and testing/medical screenings (subject to exceptions). Terms, conditions and product features may vary based on location and product type. Free hearing screening available at participating locations only. *Some restrictions and limitations may apply (including, without limitation, additional terms and conditions found at https://www.beltone.com/en-us, participating locations, and applicable professional service fees or other charges in connection with tests, evaluations, and/or screenings). Benefits of hearing instruments may vary by type and degree of hearing loss, noise environment, accuracy of hearing screening and proper fit. © 2025 GN Hearing A/S. All rights reserved. Beltone is a trademark of GN Hearing A/S.

 1/3 lose touch 

The Reasearch Matters:

with family

& friends

The Hidden Strain on Relationships

It's a Bit Alarming 


A landmark 12-year Johns Hopkins study revealed:2

A large round icon with 44% of the border thicker than the rest. Text says nearly half of intimate relationships experience some breakdown.

While the exact mechanisms are still being studied, in news interviews the researchers shared strong theories:

The Research

Matters:

Nearly 1/2 their relationships

suffered breakdown1

Dark blue banner with a woman sitting on a stool. She's leaning toward you with a look of interest on her face. The banner includes a rectangle that encloses the words Real Talk. The headline is one-third lose touch with family and friends.

A survey conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) found that, for people who ignored their hearing loss–

What Communication Partners Are Dealing With

What Communication Partners Are Dealing With

Regular, all-day use of hearing aids may cut your chances of having a fall almost in half.1,6 

But occasional use won’t protect you. Consistency is key.

Several studies have also shown the use of hearing aids improves balance in adults with hearing loss.7

 1/3 lose touch 

Living with untreated hearing loss creates friction—not just for you, but for those around you. Repeating things over and over. Misinterpreted conversations. Missed moments.

  • Arguments happen more often
  • Connection fades

Nearly 1/2 their relationships suffered breakdown1

  • Like they’re doing all the adapting
  • Embarrassed in social settings
  • Responsible for “translating” conversations
  • Isolated because their partner no longer wants to socialize
  • Constantly worried about safety (alarms, doorbells, traffic)

The Hidden

Strain on

Relationships

The stress adds up:

  • Everyday conversations
    become exhausting
  • Arguments happen
    more often
  • Connection fades

Both partners often experience:

Untreated hearing loss often feels like just a personal problem but it’s not. The truth? It affects your relationships just as much as it affects you.

From spouses and partners to close friends and coworkers, the impact is shared. And for many, the emotional toll is heavier than they expected.

  • Like they’re doing all the adapting
  • Embarrassed in social settings
  • Responsible for “translating” conversations
  • Isolated because their partner no longer wants to socialize
  • Everyday conversations become exhausting

The stress adds up:

A line of people. Half the people in the line are in dark blue, the other half in light blue. Text says nearly half their relationships suffered breakdown.
Another line of people, this time with one-third of them in dark blue, 2/3 in light blue. Text says one-third lost touch with family and friends.

1/3 lost touch with family and friends1

Research shows untreated hearing loss can become a chronic stressor in relationships.2

Both partners often experience:

  • Increased anxiety and depression
  • Social withdrawl
  • A feeling of emotional disconnection

There’s enough research evidence that hearing loss creates real health and emotional consequences for partners that being a communication partner of someone with hearing loss meets the criteria for the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of a third-party disability.5

Communication partners are those who interact with you the most. They’re spouses, partners, best friends, caregivers, important relatives and more.

Communication partners often feel:3

It’s quite an emotional and mental load to carry.

The Bottom Line
  • Nearly half of people with untreated hearing loss experience relationship breakdown.1
  • 1 in 3 lose touch with family and friends.1
  • Communication partners want action, not excuses.3

When people take responsibility for their hearing loss and get help, relationships get stronger.4 

Communication gets easier. Life feels fuller for both of you.

These are your relationships. It’s your choice.

A large round icon with 44% of the border thicker than the rest. Text says nearly half of intimate relationships experience some breakdown.

A survey conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) found that, for people who ignored their hearing loss–

A line of people. Half the people in the line are in dark blue, the other half in light blue. Text says nearly half their relationships suffered breakdown.
Another line of people, this time with one-third of them in dark blue, 2/3 in light blue. Text says one-third lost touch with family and friends.

1/3 lose touch with family

and friends1

Research shows untreated hearing loss can become 
a chronic stressor in relationships.2

  • Social withdrawl
  • A feeling of emotional disconnection
  • Increased anxiety and depression

There’s enough research evidence that hearing loss creates real health and emotional consequences 
for partners that being a communication partner of someone with hearing loss meets the criteria for the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of a third-party disability.5

Communication partners
are those who interact
with you the most. They’re spouses, partners, best friends, caregivers, important relatives and more.

Communication partners often feel:3

  • Constantly worried about safety (alarms, doorbells, traffic)

It’s quite an emotional and mental load to carry.

  • Nearly half of people with untreated hearing loss experience relationship breakdown.1
  • 1 in 3 lose touch with family and friends.1
  • Communication partners want action, not excuses.3

When people take responsibility for their hearing loss and get help, relationships get stronger.4 

Communication gets easier. Life feels fuller for both of you.

The Bottom Line:

Real Talk: Hearing

Loss Doesn’t Just

Affect You. It

Affects the People

You Love.