Watching sports with Ted is very difficult. Enjoying the game is impossible because the volume is turned up so loud that the walls rattle. The announcer’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the deafening roar of the crowd.
It isn’t in any way pleasant. But the volume sounds normal for Ted. 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. How to discuss this with him is the problem. It should be a simple conversation, but he seems excessively sensitive about the topic.
These tips are a good place to start.
Recommend a Basic Exam
Ted has to learn more about his hearing from an expert. He might not believe other people when they inform him he needs a hearing aid. In that situation, the strategy will be getting Ted (or anyone like him) to come see us.
One of the following strategies might help you do that:
- Offer to get a screening too. This is a beneficial way to broach a new medical situation. You might discover that you also have some level of hearing loss (it could depend on how long you’ve been subjected to a high-volume sound).
- Emphasize that he’ll only be having a quick screening. In the vast majority of cases, hearing screenings are fast and easy. His hearing will be categorized by frequency on an audiogram. The significance of the information can then be clarified by us.
Talk About Behaviors Connected To Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is frequently undetectable because it progresses so gradually. When this occurs, you might acquire certain behaviors without realizing it. You can hint in a discreet way that Ted needs a hearing aid by focusing on these behaviors.
Try something like the following:
- Point out instances where you need to translate what somebody said. It might 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.
- Letting him know that his family has observed him straining to hear. Every year it seems as if fewer and fewer people are going over to watch the Big Game and that could be because the TV is so loud.
- Remind Him that he’s not talking on 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 condition, will be the goal. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing loss, mention how his hearing loss impacts those around him.
Highlight The Technology in Contemporary Hearing Aids
In some cases, reticence to wearing hearing aids comes from outdated (but understandable) notions 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 employed by modern hearing aids.
The following are some examples:
- Some hearing aids have additional features, like the ability to translate in real-time or track important biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
- Modern hearing aids are generally extremely small and almost totally imperceptible to the naked eye. And, modern hearing aids are also comfortable to wear. They aren’t the big and bulky units of the past. They won’t even be seen by most people.
- Modern hearing aids carry a huge amount of technology. Thanks to connectivity, for instance, your hearing aids will pair easily with your phone or even your television speakers. This provides amplified volumes without feedback or noise.
Hearing aids, for many individuals, are an ideal extension to their other smart technology. In this modern world, hearing aids are extremely useful 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 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 cognitive health.
The sooner you address your hearing loss, the more hearing you’re likely to keep over time. Hearing aids are calibrated to fill in specific sound wavelengths your ears have a hard time discerning. Simply turning your television volume up isn’t a substitute for this valuable technology.
Understanding that your hearing can be preserved by getting treatment when you first observe signs of hearing loss will help people like Ted feel comfortable seeking the help they need.