Watching sports with Ted is very difficult. Enjoying the game is impossible because the volume is cranked up so loud that the walls shake. The commentator’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the earsplitting thunder of the crowd.
It’s not fun. But for Ted, it’s a normal volume. He needs the TV to be incredibly loud so he can hear it, which makes it pretty clear he needs a hearing aid. How to discuss this with him is the challenge. His sensitivity about the topic makes what should be a simple conversation a lot more difficult.
The following are some recommendations that may help.
Recommend a Simple Exam
Ted needs to learn more about his hearing from a specialist. Other people may not seem as credible when they talk to him about it. In that situation, the strategy will be getting Ted (or anyone like him) to come see us.
You may be able to do that by making use of one of the following tactics:
- Stress that he’ll only be having a simple assessment. In the vast majority of cases, hearing screenings are fast and easy. His hearing will be broken down by frequency on an audiogram. We can clarify what the results indicate.
- Suggest the two of you go together for back-to-back assessments. This is a beneficial way to discuss a new medical situation. You might discover that you also have some degree of hearing loss (it may depend on how long you’ve been subjected to a high-volume noise).
Talk About Behaviors Associated With Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is frequently indiscernible because it progresses so slowly. Specific subconscious behaviors frequently develop when this occurs. You can hint in a subtle way that Ted needs a hearing aid by focusing on these behaviors.
Try something like the following:
- Remind Him that he’s not using the phone as much as he once did because he has a difficult time hearing what his friends are saying on the other end.
- Point out instances 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 need to repeat the sentence to Ted because you’re closer to him.
- You could tell him your family has observed he’s been having a tough time hearing. Each year it seems like fewer and fewer people are going over to see the Big Game and that could be because the TV is turned up so loud.
The goal during these conversations is to keep your discussion focused on these behaviors instead of the disorder. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing loss, mention how his hearing loss effects those around him.
Talk About Hearing Aid Technology
Antiquated ideas of how a hearing aid affects your appearance and what hearing aids do, in some circumstances, results in reluctance to use one. It might not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology utilized by modern hearing aids.
The following are some examples:
- Typically, contemporary hearing aids are so small you can’t even notice them. That’s not all, modern hearing aids are amazingly comfortable for the wearer. They aren’t the big and bulky units they used to be. They won’t even be noticed by most people.
- Some hearing aids can even monitor your health and fitness biometrics and translate them in real time as well as other added features.
- The technology of modern hearing aids is very advanced. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices by way of Bluetooth® connectivity. This delivers amplified volumes without feedback or noise.
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 like live streaming.
Promote The Long-Term Advantages
Finally, take some time to point out the connection between hearing loss and mental health decline. To put it bluntly, hearing is critical 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. When you have hearing loss, your ears have a hard time processing specific wavelengths and hearing aids are calibrated to fill in those missing frequencies. When you simply turn the volume up you don’t fill in the particular frequencies that are missing.
Recognizing 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.