There may come a time in your life when someone in your family experiences hearing loss. They’ll not only need to work through and accept what their audiologist is telling them but may also find it challenging to talk about the situation with you.
To the person experiencing it, hearing loss is usually a gradual and slow process. Your loved one may not be in the right mindset to fully accept their hearing loss. Therefore, you’ll want to review some tips for explaining hearing loss to your loved ones so you can be on the same page and there to help them. The good news is that there are options available to them. Below is some advice that will help you properly navigate this change in hearing and new diagnosis.
Highlight the Health Benefits
When you’re explaining hearing loss to your loved ones, it’s important to review the health benefits. Approach the conversation about hearing loss by highlighting factual information and details. A wise place to begin is to talk about all the health benefits hearing aids have to offer. Hearing loss itself is not only a serious issue but has been linked to causing other serious health conditions such as depression too. Therefore, your loved one may be able to avoid this if they purchase a set of hearing aids.
Talk about the Greater Employment Opportunities
As you work on explaining hearing loss to your loved ones, you can also demonstrate the employment opportunities hearing aids can bring about. This may be a particularly convincing piece of information to share for younger and middle-aged family members who have hearing loss. The person experiencing hearing loss can wear hearing aids to give them a better chance of not only being hired, but also a better chance of performing optimally at work so they remain employed.
Discuss the Benefits of Modern Hearing Aids
Nowadays hearing aids are designed with a modern twist in mind. They aren’t as clunky or unattractive and uncomfortable as they once were. Today, you’ll find modern hearing aids to be more stylish and functional. You can check out the following styles for more details and information on this matter: in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) and in-the-canal (ITC).
Some hearing aids are even invisible to those looking at you and your ears. They resemble more fashionable technology such as equipment you may see being used with the iPhone. It may be helpful to perform research on your own before speaking with your loved one about hearing loss and be prepared to share some examples and images of current models with them. While they are an investment, hearing aids that are fitted and adjusted properly can be life changing.
Set A Good Example
Another tip you can apply when explaining hearing loss to your loved ones is to set a good example. Go and get your hearing tested yourself or attend appointments with your loved one to show your support and that you care. Make hearing health a normal part and way of life and help to reduce any stigmas surrounding hearing aids. Your audiologist will likely be able to give some good advice during these appointments as well and make you and your loved one feel more comfortable.
Stay Positive
No matter what comes and develops from the conversation, remain positive and optimistic about the situation. Your loved one may not take your conversation that well initially or may seem a bit standoffish but stay hopeful that they will eventually come around and see all your points. Focus on what you can do to help and then be there to offer any assistance or input as they request and ask for it.
Hearing loss is a serious matter and should be addressed as soon as possible. However, it’s important to focus on the fact that there is professional help out there and solutions such as hearing aids that can improve your life and allow you or a loved one to hear better. These tips will ensure that explaining hearing loss to your loved ones is productive and gets the right message across.
Here at the Alliance Center for Hearing, we offer a range of hearing aids and assistive technology to improve your hearing as well as your quality of life. If you need help navigating this situation further or want to get your hearing tested, then get in touch today. You can learn more about Alliance Center for Hearing and our services by calling us today at 701-751-6232.
We’re always happy to answer any questions you have.
