Watching sports with Ted is extremely frustrating. Paying attention to the game is impossible because the volume is turned up so loud that the walls rattle. The announcer’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the deafening roar of the crowd.
It isn’t fun. But the volume sounds normal for Ted. He needs the TV to be tremendously loud so he can hear it, which makes it rather obvious he needs a hearing aid. How to talk to him about it is the challenge. His sensitivity about the topic makes what should be a simple conversation a lot more challenging.
These tips are a good place to start.
You Can Recommend he Gets a Basic Hearing Test
Ted has to learn more about his hearing from a specialist. Other people might not sound as credible when they talk to him about it. If that’s the case, the trick will be convincing Ted (or anybody like him) to come see us.
One of the following tactics might help you do that:
- Try making him feel more comfortable by letting him know that it’s just a simple screening. In most cases, hearing screenings are fast and easy. Ted will get his results on an audiogram, which will break down his hearing by frequency. The meaning of the results can then be broken down by us.
- Offer to get a screening with him. This can make starting the conversation easier. You might discover that you also have some degree of hearing loss (it may depend on how long you’ve been exposed to a high-volume sound).
Discuss Hearing Loss Behaviors
Hearing loss occurs slowly, often advancing so slowly it’s not noticeable. When this occurs, you might pick up certain behaviors without realizing it. You can hint in a subtle way that Ted needs a hearing aid by putting attention on these behaviors.
Try some of these strategies:
- Letting him know that his family has observed him struggling to hear. Perhaps that’s why fewer individuals 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 avoiding talking to family members and friends by phone because he has trouble hearing what’s being said.
- Point out that you’ve noticed how often you’re “translating” for him. It may happen like this: somebody is talking to Ted but you’re closer and Ted needs you to constantly repeat what was said because he can’t hear them.
The goal during these conversations is to keep your discussion focused on these behaviors rather than the ailment. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing impairment, point out how his hearing loss effects people in his life.
Talk About Hearing Aid Technology
Outdated ideas of how a hearing aid affects your appearance and what hearing aids do, in some circumstances, results in reticence to use one. It may not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology utilized by modern hearing aids.
Here are some examples:
- Some hearing aids have added features, including the ability to translate in real-time or track important biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
- Modern hearing aids are typically incredibly small and almost completely imperceptible to the naked eye. That’s not all, modern hearing aids are exceptionally comfortable for the wearer. They aren’t the big and bulky units of the past. They won’t even be noticed by most people.
- The technology of modern hearing aids is pretty advanced. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices thanks to Bluetooth® connectivity. With this technology, the volume of your devices will be increased without noise and feedback.
For many individuals, hearing aids feel like an extension of their smartphones or tablets. Modern hearing aids are very useful pieces of technology that allow you to enjoy live streaming.
Promote The Long-Term Advantages
Lastly, it’s worth taking time to point out the long-term benefits of hearing aids, which have been shown to help people keep (or recover) mental equity. To put it bluntly, hearing is essential to a person’s mental health.
You will keep more of your hearing undamaged in the long run if you address your hearing loss as soon as possible. Hearing aids are calibrated to fill in specific sound wavelengths which your ears have a difficult time discerning. When you simply turn up the volume 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 understanding that will help persuade people like Ted to seek help.
