Football games with Ted are the worst. He has the volume cranked up so loud the walls rattle, and you surely can’t pay attention to the game. The commentator’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the deafening thunder of the crowd.
It isn’t in any way pleasant. But the volume sounds fine for Ted. He needs the TV to be incredibly loud so he can hear it, which makes it pretty clear he needs a hearing aid. You’re just not sure how to tell him that. It should be a simple conversation, but he seems excessively sensitive about the topic.
The following are several tips that might help.
You Can Suggest he Gets a Simple Hearing Exam
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 strategy will be getting Ted (or anybody like him) to come see us.
You might be able to do that by utilizing one of the following strategies:
- Attempt to make him feel more comfortable by letting him know that it’s just a simple screening. In the vast majority of cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. His hearing will be categorized by frequency on an audiogram. 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, too (depending on how long you’ve been subjected to loud sound).
Chat About Hearing Loss Behaviors
Hearing loss occurs gradually, often advancing so slowly it’s not noticeable. When this happens, you may acquire certain behaviors without recognizing it. By focusing your conversation on those behaviors, you can subtly (or not so subtly) hint that Ted (or someone like him) needs a hearing aid.
Try some of these strategies:
- Point out that he’s been avoiding talking to friends and family members by phone because he has trouble hearing what’s being said.
- Letting him know that his family has observed him straining to hear. Perhaps that’s why fewer people are going to his home to watch the Big Game each year, they have a hard time dealing with the loud television.
- Point out situations where you have to translate what somebody said. Here’s a hypothetical example: your friend says something at dinner, Ted doesn’t hear or comprehend it, and you have to repeat what they said to Ted because you’re closer to him.
When you have these talks focusing on these behaviors, not the condition, will be the objective. Instead of talking about how Ted is experiencing hearing impairment, mention how his hearing loss effects people in his life.
Highlight The Technology in Contemporary Hearing Aids
In some cases, reticence to wearing hearing aids comes from outdated (but understandable) impressions of what hearing aids do and how they affect one’s personal appearance. It might not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology utilized by contemporary hearing aids.
The following are some examples:
- Modern hearing aids contain a considerable amount of technology. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices thanks to Bluetooth® connectivity. With this tech, the volume of your devices will be amplified without feedback and noise.
- Some hearing aids have additional features, like the ability to translate in real-time or track important biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
- Typically, contemporary hearing aids are so small you can’t even see them. And, modern hearing aids are also comfortable to wear. They’re not cumbersome like they once were. Most individuals will probably never detect you’re wearing them.
For many people, hearing aids feel like an extension of their smartphones or tablets. In this modern world, hearing aids are extremely 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 shown to help people keep (or recover) mental equity. In other words, your brain health depends on you being capable of hearing clearly.
You will keep more of your hearing undamaged in the long run if you treat your hearing loss as soon as you can. When you have hearing loss, your ears have a difficult time processing specific wavelengths and hearing aids are calibrated to fill in those missing frequencies. When you simply turn up the volume you don’t fill in the particular frequencies that are missing.
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.