Watching sports with Ted is very frustrating. Paying attention to the game is impossible because the volume is turned up so loud that the walls shake. All you notice is the roar of the crowd pounding against your body, punctuated by the ear-shattering staccato of the commentator’s play-by-play calls.
It isn’t fun. But for Ted, the volume is normal. Everything has to be at top volume for him to be able to hear it, making it pretty apparent that it’s time to think about hearing aids. You’re just not sure how to tell him that. His sensitivity about the subject makes what should be a straightforward conversation a lot more difficult.
These tips are a good place to begin.
You Can Suggest he Gets a Simple Hearing Evaluation
Ted needs an expert to inform him about his hearing. He might not believe other people when they inform him he needs a hearing aid. If that’s the case, the trick will be getting Ted (or anyone like him) to come see us.
One of the following tactics might help you do that:
- Recommend the two of you go together for back-to-back assessments. This can make beginning the conversation easier. It’s possible you’ll learn that you’ve experienced some hearing loss, also (it may depend on how long you’ve been subjected to a high-volume noise).
- Stress that he’ll only be having a basic screening. In the vast majority of cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. His hearing will be broken down by frequency on an audiogram. We can clarify what the results indicate.
Chat About Hearing Loss Behaviors
Hearing loss takes place slowly, often progressing so slowly it’s unnoticeable. Specific subconscious behaviors frequently develop when this occurs. You can hint in a discreet way that Ted needs a hearing aid by focusing on these behaviors.
Try something like the following:
- Letting him know that his family has observed him straining to hear. Maybe that’s why fewer people are going to his house to watch the Big Game each year, they have a difficult time dealing with the loud television.
- Point out that he’s been evading talking to friends and family members by phone because he has trouble hearing what’s being said.
- Point out that you’ve observed how often you’re “translating” for him. It might happen like this: someone is talking to Ted but you’re closer and Ted needs you to keep repeating what was said because he can’t understand them.
When you have these discussions focusing on these behaviors, not the condition, will be the objective. Instead of talking about how Ted is experiencing hearing impairment, point out how his hearing loss effects those around him.
Talk About Hearing Aid Technology
In some instances, reticence to wearing hearing aids comes from outdated (but understandable) ideas of what hearing aids do and how they impact one’s personal appearance. It may not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology utilized by modern hearing aids.
The following are some examples:
- Usually, contemporary hearing aids are so small you can’t even see them. And, modern hearing aids are also comfortable to wear. They’re not bulky like they once were. They won’t even be seen by most people.
- Modern hearing aids have a considerable amount of technology. Thanks to connectivity, for example, your hearing aids will pair seamlessly with your phone or even your TV speakers. With this tech, the volume of your devices will be amplified without noise and feedback.
- Some hearing aids can even monitor your health and fitness biometrics and translate them in real time as well as other additional features.
Hearing aids, for many individuals, are a perfect extension to their other smart technology. In this modern world, hearing aids are incredibly practical and will help you enjoy activities like live streaming.
Highlight The Long-Term Advantages
Finally, take the time to emphasize the connection between hearing loss and mental health decline. Essentially, your brain health depends on you being able to hear clearly.
You will keep more of your hearing undamaged in the long run if you address your hearing loss as soon as you can. Hearing aids are calibrated to fill in specific sound wavelengths your ears have a difficult time discerning. When you simply turn the volume up you don’t fill in the specific missing frequencies.
Getting treatment as soon as you begin experiencing hearing loss can help save your hearing, and knowing that will help persuade people like Ted to seek help.