Football games with Ted are miserable. He has the volume turned up so high the walls shake, and you definitely can’t tune in to the game. All you can hear is the thunder of the crowd hammering against your body, punctuated by the ear-shattering staccato of the announcer’s play-by-play calls.
It isn’t fun. But for Ted, it’s a normal volume. Everything has 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. You’re just not sure how to tell him that. His sensitivity about the subject makes what should be a simple conversation a lot more challenging.
The following are some recommendations that may help.
Recommend a Simple Screening
Ted needs to find out more about his hearing from a specialist. He might not believe other people when they inform him he needs a hearing aid. In that situation, the trick will be convincing Ted (or anyone like him) to come see us.
You might be able to do that by utilizing one of the following tactics:
- Emphasize that he’ll only be having a simple screening. In the vast majority of cases, hearing screenings are fast and easy. Ted will receive his results on an audiogram, which will break down his hearing by frequency. We can clarify what the results indicate.
- Recommend the two of you go together for back-to-back assessments. This is a helpful way to broach a new medical situation. It’s possible you’ll learn that you’ve experienced some hearing loss, as well (depending on how long you’ve been subjected to loud noise).
Comment on Hearing Loss Behaviors
Hearing loss is often undetectable because it advances so gradually. Specific subconscious behaviors often develop when this happens. By focusing your conversation on those behaviors, you can subtly (or not so subtly) hint that Ted (or somebody like him) needs a hearing aid.
Try some of these approaches:
- You could tell him your family has noticed he’s been having a hard time hearing. Perhaps that’s why fewer people are going to his house to watch the Big Game each year, they have a tough time coping with the loud television.
- Point out that he’s been avoiding talking to friends and family members on the phone because he has trouble hearing what they say.
- Point out that you’ve noticed how frequently you’re “translating” for him. Here’s a hypothetical example: your friend says something at breakfast, Ted doesn’t hear or understand it, and you need to repeat the sentence to Ted because you’re closer to him.
The goal during these conversations is to keep your discussion centered on these behaviors rather than the disorder. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing impairment, point out how his hearing loss effects people in his life.
Emphasize The Technology in Modern Hearing Aids
In some cases, reluctance to using hearing aids comes from antiquated (but understandable) notions of what hearing aids do and how they affect one’s personal appearance. It may not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology utilized by contemporary hearing aids.
Here are some examples:
- Some hearing aids can even track your health and fitness biometrics and translate them in real time as well as other additional features.
- 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. This provides amplified volumes without noise or feedback.
- Modern hearing aids are usually extremely small and almost totally unseen 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 seen by most people.
For many people, hearing aids feel like an extension of their smartphones or tablets. In this modern world, hearing aids are incredibly practical and will help you enjoy activities like live streaming.
Highlight The Long-Term Benefits
Lastly, it’s worth taking time to point out the long-term advantages 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.
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 your television volume up is no substitute for this valuable technology.
Understanding that your hearing can be preserved by getting treatment when you first observe signs of hearing impairment will help people like Ted feel comfortable seeking the help they need.