When your loved one has hearing loss, you often realize it before they do. For example, you might find yourself raising your voice to talk to them, or notice that they keep the television at an unusually high volume. While gifting your loved one with hearing aids seems like a great idea, it's not often the best solution. But why?
In most cases, if a person with hearing loss hasn’t shown interest in hearing aids, they likely won’t use them. This is so often the case that we've created a step-by-step guide to help you encourage your loved one to embrace hearing aids and start hearing better: Is Your Loved One Ready to Start Wearing Hearing Aids?.
But if your loved one still hasn't recognized that they have hearing loss, the first step should be to encourage your loved one to seek a solution. Here are 5 tips for talking to your loved one about hearing loss.
1. Acknowledge signs of hearing loss.
To start opening the door to conversation around hearing loss, acknowledge instances when your loved one shows signs of hearing loss.
This can start with subtle remarks, such as, “The TV volume is all the way up. Are you having trouble hearing it?” You can also raise questions, such as, “Are you sure you want to go to that restaurant? Last time, you said it was too loud for you to hear there.”
This being said, be considerate when taking note of your loved one’s hearing loss. Encouraging your loved one to recognize their hearing loss is a process.
2. Show empathy and understanding.
Accepting one's hearing loss can be a difficult process, especially when the hearing loss is age-related. In such cases, accepting one’s hearing loss also means accepting one’s age, and that’s a lot to take in.
Especially if you do not have hearing loss, trying putting yourself in your loved one’s shoes and consider how they may feel. Understand that your loved one will need the time and space, before they are willing to accept life with hearing loss as their new normal.
Don't forget to visit our step-by-step guide to helping your loved one to hear better: Is Your Loved One Ready to Start Wearing Hearing Aids?
3. Provide facts about hearing loss.
When your loved one begins showing signs of acceptance, you can start informing them about the reality of untreated hearing loss and how it can affect one’s health.
For example, you can explain to them how research has found connections between untreated hearing loss and other health issues, like depression or dementia. You should also consider sharing the benefits of seeking to improve your hearing health.
4. Share the options that are available.
Sometimes people become leery of addressing their hearing loss because they’ve heard about expenses associated with purchasing hearing aids. For instance, they may have friends who have purchased hearing aids from a local provider for thousands of dollars.
The good news is: There are other options available! Advanced Affordable Hearing offers hearing aids for a reasonable price. Plus, because the hearing aids are pre-programmed to the most common forms of hearing loss, a hearing test isn't even required!
5. Help them to seek a solution.
Once your loved one has accepted their hearing loss, taken note of the facts, and seen the options that are available for improving hearing loss, show them that you are ready to support them in their journey to hearing better.
For instance, if your loved one is ready to purchase hearing aids, help them to do so! To begin that process with us, help your loved one to consult our Online Hearing Check, or call one of our friendly representatives at 1 (800) 804-0434, to get a general sense of their hearing loss.
After identifying your loved one’s level of hearing loss, you can order the hearing aids that will best meet their needs.
Have any further questions or concerns? We’re happy to help. Contact us.