Football games with Ted are miserable. Paying attention to the game is impossible because the volume is turned up so loud that the walls shake. All you can hear is the roar of the crowd hammering against your body, punctuated by the ear-shattering staccato of the commentator’s play-by-play calls.
It isn’t fun. But for Ted, it’s a normal volume. Everything needs to be at top volume in order for him to be able to hear it, making it pretty obvious that it’s time to think about hearing aids. You’re just not sure how to talk to him that. It should be a simple conversation, but he seems excessively sensitive about the topic.
These tips are a good place to begin.
Suggest a Basic Screening
Ted needs to learn more about his hearing from a specialist. He may not believe other people when they tell him he needs a hearing aid. In that situation, the trick will be convincing Ted (or anybody like him) to come see us.
You might be able to accomplish that by utilizing one of the following tactics:
- Offer to get a screening too. This can make starting the dialogue easier. It’s possible you’ll learn that you’ve experienced some hearing loss, as well (depending on how long you’ve been exposed to loud noise).
- Stress that he’ll only be undergoing a basic screening. In the vast majority of cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. Ted will receive his results on an audiogram, which will break down his hearing by frequency. The significance of the results can then be clarified by us.
Chat About Hearing Loss Behaviors
Hearing loss is frequently undetectable because it progresses so slowly. Certain subconscious behaviors often develop when this happens. By concentrating your discussion on those behaviors, you can subtly (or not so subtly) hint that Ted (or someone like him) needs a hearing aid.
Try some of these strategies:
- You could tell him the family has noticed he’s been having a tough time hearing. Every year it seems like fewer and fewer people are going over to see the Big Game and that could be because the TV is turned up so loud.
- Remind Him that he’s not talking on the phone as much as he used to because he has a hard time hearing what his friends are saying on the other end.
- Mention that you’ve noticed how frequently you’re “translating” for him. Here’s a hypothetical example: somebody is talking to Ted but you’re closer and Ted needs you to keep repeating what was said because he can’t hear them.
When you have these talks focusing on these behaviors, not the disorder, will be the objective. Instead of talking about how Ted is experiencing hearing loss, mention how his hearing loss effects those around him.
Talk About Hearing Aid Technology
Outdated ideas of how a hearing aid impacts your appearance and what hearing aids do, in some circumstances, results in reticence to wear one. It may not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology employed by modern hearing aids.
Here are some examples:
- Typically, contemporary hearing aids are so small you can’t even notice them. And, modern hearing aids are also comfortable to wear. They aren’t the big and bulky units they used to be. Most people will probably never notice you’re wearing them.
- The technology of modern hearing aids is quite advanced. Thanks to connectivity, for instance, your hearing aids will pair easily with your phone or even your television speakers. With this technology, the volume of your devices will be amplified without noise and feedback.
- Some hearing aids have added features, including the ability to translate in real-time or track key biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
For many people, hearing aids feel like an extension of their smartphones or tablets. Modern hearing aids are extremely useful pieces of technology that help you enjoy live streaming.
Promote The Long-Term Benefits
Lastly, it’s worth taking time to mention the long-term advantages of hearing aids, which have been demonstrated to help people keep (or recover) their cognitive faculties. To put it bluntly, hearing is crucial to a person’s mental health.
You will keep more of your hearing intact in the long run if you address your hearing loss as soon as you can. When you have hearing loss, your ears have a difficult time processing particular wavelengths and hearing aids are calibrated to fill in those missing frequencies. When you simply turn the volume up you don’t fill in the specific frequencies that are missing.
Recognizing that your hearing can be preserved by getting treatment when you first notice signs of hearing impairment will help people like Ted feel comfortable seeking the help they need.