Your mom has always been there, listening to your stories, comforting you with words, and probably hearing things you didn’t want her to hear when you were a teenager. But lately, something seems off. She asks you to repeat yourself more often, gives odd answers to simple questions, and doesn’t seem to notice when you call her from another room. Leaving you wondering… does mom have hearing loss?
At first, it’s easy to assume that these changes might be part of aging, possibly even early signs of memory loss or cognitive decline. But before you head down that worrisome road, take a step back and consider something much more common, and much more treatable: hearing loss.
Hearing loss in women tends to look a little different than it does in men. While men are statistically more likely to develop hearing loss earlier in life, women aren’t immune. Their hearing loss is often more gradual and subtle. Because women typically experience difficulty hearing lower frequencies (Otosclerosis), the signs might not be as obvious right away. This can make it harder for both them and their families to recognize that something’s changed.
Still, many women. especially mothers, are incredibly good at adapting. They smile and nod, pretend they heard you, and lean in a little closer, hoping context will fill in the blanks. But over time, these strategies can lead to fatigue, frustration, and even social withdrawal. Plus, you get mad at her for not remembering something important you told her about her grandkids, or your work.
And let’s face it: no one wants that for their mom or for you, us as we are selfish with our mothers.
When you’re spending time with your mom this Mother’s Day, take a moment to notice how she’s engaging. Is she struggling to follow group conversations? Does she seem more withdrawn at noisy family gatherings? Is she asking for things to be repeated more often, or responding in ways that suggest she misheard you? Or faking a laugh when what you or others said wasn’t funny.
If you find yourself raising your voice often just to be understood, it may be a sign that she’s dealing with more than mild hearing loss. Talking louder is a temporary workaround, but it’s not a solution, and it can cause strain in your relationship.
The first step is awareness. The second step is testing. Before investing in any hearing device, especially an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid option, make sure your mom’s hearing loss is mild to moderate. OTC hearing aids can be a great solution for the right mom with mild to moderate hearing loss: they’re affordable, accessible, and discreet. There are many different options and new technology will continue to evolve. What is best for her sister, your aunt, may not be the best product for her.
If your mom needs to turn the volume up significantly on the TV, has difficulty hearing phone conversations, or frequently misses environmental cues like timers or sirens, she may benefit more from a prescription hearing aid that offers more advanced amplification and customization.
Unlike OTC devices, professionally fitted hearing aids are programmed based on a detailed hearing test, ensuring the right sounds are amplified to the right degree. They also come with ongoing support, something that can make a big difference for someone new to hearing aids. Prescription hearing aids are also available in our consignment store.
Helping your mom address her hearing health can dramatically improve her quality of life. Don’t let her tell you she is old and going to die soon. That is a silly comment and we have seen and heard women say this again and again. Just next week, we have a daughter bringing in her mom, who is 96. She has been saying she is going to die for 10 years. You don’t know when you will die, so why not enjoy while you are here on earth and hear better! Think about how wonderful it would be for her to hear the soft voices of her grandchild or great-grandchildren’s words of interest, catch the punchline of a joke without faking a laugh, or simply enjoy hearing people talking and conversing to keep from being lonely.
This Mother’s Day, consider giving her something truly meaningful: the ability to fully engage with the world around her again.
If you suspect your mom might be experiencing hearing loss, schedule a hearing test for her and then go over the options with your audiologist. If it is hard to get her into a clinic, we have telehealth options with online providers that can help find a solution for her.
We love moms, we have moms, we are moms, and we want to be moms! We want our children to love us and to help us do what is best for us. I want to do what is best for my mom, and I will want my children to do what is best for me as I age. And I hope their children.. you get it!
Thanks for reading!
Happy Mother’s Day!
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