Watching sports with Ted is very difficult. He has the volume cranked up so loud the walls shake, and you surely can’t tune in to the game. The announcer’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the deafening roar of the crowd.
It isn’t in any way enjoyable. But the volume seems normal for Ted. Everything needs to be at max volume in order for him to be able to hear it, making it pretty obvious that it’s time to think about hearing aids. How to discuss this with him is the difficulty. His sensitivity about the subject makes what should be a simple conversation a lot more challenging.
The following are some recommendations that could help.
Recommend a Simple Exam
Ted needs a specialist to educate him about his hearing. Other people might not sound as credible when they tell him about it. If that’s the case, the trick will be getting Ted (or anyone like him) to come see us.
You might be able to accomplish that by using one of the following strategies:
- Suggest that both of you go together for back-to-back screenings. This can make starting the dialogue easier. It’s possible you’ll discover that you’ve experienced some hearing loss, too (depending on how long you’ve been exposed to loud noise).
- Emphasize that he’ll only be undergoing a simple screening. In most cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. Ted will get his results on an audiogram, which will break down his hearing by frequency. We can detail what the results indicate.
Talk About Behaviors Connected To Hearing Loss
Hearing loss occurs gradually, often progressing so slowly it’s unnoticeable. Certain 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:
- You could tell him your family has observed he’s been having a hard time hearing. Maybe that’s why fewer people are going to his home to watch the Big Game each year, they have a difficult time coping with the loud television.
- Point out situations where you need to translate what someone said. It might happen like this: your friend says something at dinner, Ted doesn’t hear or comprehend it, and you have to repeat the sentence to Ted because you’re closer to him.
- Make him aware 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.
When you have these talks focusing on these behaviors, not the disorder, will be the objective. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing impairment, mention how his hearing loss effects those around him.
Talk About Hearing Aid Technology
Sometimes, reluctance to using hearing aids comes from outdated (but understandable) ideas of what hearing aids do and how they influence one’s personal appearance. It might not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology employed by contemporary hearing aids.
The following are some examples:
- The technology of modern hearing aids is pretty advanced. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices by way of Bluetooth® connectivity. This provides amplified volumes without feedback or noise.
- Modern hearing aids are typically very small and almost completely unseen to the naked eye. That’s not all, modern hearing aids are exceptionally comfortable for the wearer. They’re not cumbersome like they once were. Most individuals will most likely never notice you’re wearing them.
- Some hearing aids can even monitor your health and fitness biometrics and render them in real time as well as other added 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 such as live streaming.
Promote The Long-Term Benefits
Lastly, it’s worth taking time to point out the long-term advantages of hearing aids, which have been demonstrated to help people keep (or recover) their cognitive faculties. In other words, your brain health depends on you being capable of hearing clearly.
The sooner you treat your hearing loss, the more hearing you’re likely to keep over time. Hearing aids are calibrated to fill in specific sound wavelengths which your ears have a difficult time discerning. Simply turning up your TV is no substitute for this valuable technology.
Understanding that your hearing can be preserved by getting treatment when you first notice signs of hearing loss will help people like Ted feel comfortable getting the help they need.