Don’t Ignore What Your Family Is Telling You About Your Hearing
Maybe you’ve noticed that your mom or dad keeps asking you to repeat yourself, or you walk into their living room, and the TV is on full blast. Maybe your husband gives you a confused look when you tell him something and then acts in a way that gives off a telltale sign that he didn’t hear what you said.
Since September 2022, Tahoe Family Hearing Clinic, owned by Dr. Jenelle Sandy, Au.D., CCC-A, has been helping patients of all ages improve their hearing through personalized, evidence-based audiology care.
Hearing loss often develops gradually, and many people don’t recognize the changes in their own hearing. Instead, it is often a spouse, child, friend, or other family member who first notices the signs. If someone close to you has mentioned concerns about your hearing or communication, it’s important to schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation with an audiologist.
Tahoe Family Hearing Clinic sees a wide variety of patients, from those who are proactive on taking care of their hearing to others who may joke stating “they have selective hearing.” Common signs of hearing loss include turning up the TV or radio, frequently asking others to repeat themselves, and struggling to understand conversations in noisy environments.
Research shows that most people wait 5-7 years from the onset of hearing loss before seeking treatment. During that time, hearing loss often becomes increasingly frustrating not only for the individual, but also for their family and friends who struggle to communicate with them. More importantly, untreated hearing loss has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, while also contributing to social isolation and depression. Fortunately, that trend is beginning to change as more people become aware of the importance of addressing hearing loss early to protect their hearing and overall health.
“People often come in when their family starts noticing changes. They are misunderstanding conversations, can’t hear in certain environments, are responding inappropriately to questions, or asking people to repeat themselves,” Dr. Sandy says.
Individuals who work in occupations where noise exposure is common, such as tree trimming or construction, often develop hearing loss over time. They may gradually lose the ability to hear higher-pitched sounds, including “s,” “f,” and “th” sounds, making conversations more difficult to understand. When the brain no longer receives these sounds clearly, it must work harder to interpret speech, increasing listening effort and reducing the quality of communication.
“The brain does its best to fill in the gaps when it can’t hear certain sounds clearly, but there’s only so much it can do,” says Dr. Sandy. “People often find themselves asking others to repeat themselves more frequently. Over time, many become frustrated with the effort it takes to communicate and begin withdrawing from conversations and social situations. That isolation can contribute to depression and other health concerns.”
When someone points out concerns of hearing loss to their affected loved one, it’s important to bring that communication partner to the hearing evaluation.
“We encourage patients to bring a spouse, family member, or close friend to their appointment because hearing loss often makes it difficult to absorb everything that’s discussed,” Dr. Sandy explains. “Having a companion there ensures someone else hears the information, can ask questions, and helps the patient make informed decisions about their hearing healthcare. It also helps avoid misunderstandings that can delay treatment or require additional appointments.”
Many people are hesitant to involve someone in their appointment because they still associate hearing aids with the large, bulky devices their parents or grandparents once wore. However, hearing technology has advanced dramatically over the past decade.
“Today’s hearing aids are smaller, smarter, and more discreet than ever before,” says Dr. Sandy. “We offer demonstrations and trial periods so patients can experience the benefits firsthand before making a decision. We also customize hearing solutions based on each person’s hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget to ensure they’re getting the right technology for their needs.”
During a comprehensive hearing evaluation, the team at Tahoe Family Hearing Clinic takes the time to understand how hearing difficulties are affecting the patient’s daily life. They discuss where the patient notices communication challenges, as well as situations in which a spouse or family member has observed changes. The evaluation includes a complete diagnostic assessment, measurement of hearing sensitivity, speech understanding, and word recognition in both quiet and noisy environments.
“We review the results with each patient, discuss their treatment options, and, when appropriate, offer hearing aid demonstrations or schedule a follow-up consultation,” Dr. Sandy says.
She encourages patients to bring a companion to their appointments whenever possible. “Having another person there helps ensure everyone understands the results and the recommended next steps. Today’s hearing technology has come a long way and experiencing it firsthand during a demonstration often helps patients realize just how much they’ve been missing.”
“A big part of the human experience is communication. When we hear a person say, ‘I can hear fine but my spouse mumbles’, that is typically a sign they have hearing loss. Communication and hearing loss affects the entire family. In living a happy, fulfilled life, you want to have good communication with those around you,” she adds.
Dr. Sandy encourages people to think about whether others are telling you to get your hearing checked and consider getting tested early, especially if you are over 50.
“One of the most rewarding parts of what we do is seeing how hearing aids can transform someone’s quality of life,” she says. “I had one patient tell me she heard birds chirping for the first time in over 10 years. Moments like that remind us how much people can miss without even realizing it. When they reconnect with those everyday sounds, you can truly see a renewed joy for life.”
For more information or to schedule a hearing evaluation, visit https://www.tahoefamilyhearing.com/.
Editor’s note: This article originally ran in the Fall 2026 edition of Healthy Tahoe.
