Football games with Ted are miserable. He has the volume turned up so high the walls shake, and you definitely can’t pay attention to the game. The commentator’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the earsplitting thunder of the crowd.
It isn’t fun. But the volume sounds normal for Ted. Everything has to be at top volume in order for him to hear it, making it rather obvious that it’s time to think about hearing aids. You’re just not certain how to tell him that. His sensitivity about the topic makes what should be a simple conversation much more difficult.
These tips are a good place to begin.
You Can Suggest he Gets a Simple Hearing Test
Ted has to find out more about his hearing from a specialist. Other people might not sound as credible when they tell him about it. If that’s the case, the trick will be convincing Ted (or anyone like him) to come see us.
One of the following strategies might help you do that:
- Stress that he’ll only be undergoing a basic screening. In most cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. His hearing will be categorized by frequency on an audiogram. The meaning of the information can then be broken down by us.
- Suggest that both of you go together for back-to-back assessments. This can make starting the conversation easier. 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).
Discuss Hearing Loss Behaviors
Hearing loss is often indiscernible because it advances so slowly. When this occurs, you may pick up certain behaviors without knowing it. You can hint in a discreet way that Ted needs a hearing aid by focusing on these behaviors.
Try something like the following:
- Letting him know that his family has noticed him struggling to hear. Each year it seems as if fewer and fewer people are going over to see the Big Game and that could be because the TV is turned up so loud.
- Point out situations where you need to translate what somebody said. It may happen like this: someone is talking to Ted but you’re closer and Ted needs you to constantly repeat what was said because he can’t hear them.
- Make him aware that he’s not using the phone as much as he once did because he has a hard time hearing what his friends are saying on the other end.
When you have these discussions focusing on these behaviors, not the disorder, will be the goal. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing impairment, mention how his hearing loss impacts people in his life.
Talk About Hearing Aid Technology
In some cases, reticence to using hearing aids comes from antiquated (but understandable) ideas of what hearing aids do and how they impact one’s personal appearance. It may not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology employed by contemporary hearing aids.
The following are some examples:
- Some hearing aids have extra features, such as the ability to translate in real-time or track key biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
- The technology of modern hearing aids is quite advanced. Thanks to connectivity, for example, your hearing aids will pair easily with your phone or even your TV speakers. This provides amplified volumes without feedback or noise.
- Usually, contemporary hearing aids are so small you can’t even notice them. And, modern hearing aids are also comfortable to wear. They’re not cumbersome like they once were. They won’t even be noticed by most people.
Hearing aids, for many people, are an ideal extension to their other smart technology. Modern hearing aids are very helpful pieces of technology that help you enjoy live streaming.
Highlight The Long-Term Advantages
Lastly, it’s worth taking time to mention the long-term benefits of hearing aids, which have been demonstrated to help people keep (or recover) mental equity. To put it bluntly, hearing is critical to a person’s mental health.
The sooner you address your hearing loss, the more hearing you’re likely to keep in the long run. When you have hearing impairment, your ears have a difficult time processing particular wavelengths and hearing aids are calibrated to fill in those missing frequencies. Simply turning up your TV is no substitute for this valuable technology.
Getting treatment as soon as you start experiencing hearing loss can help save your hearing, and understanding that will help convince people like Ted to seek help.