Watching sports with Ted is incredibly 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 earsplitting thunder of the crowd.
It isn’t by any means enjoyable. But the volume sounds fine for Ted. Everything has to be at max volume for him to hear it, making it rather apparent that it’s time to think about hearing aids. How to discuss this with him is the challenge. His sensitivity about the topic makes what should be a simple conversation much more challenging.
The following are several recommendations that could help.
Suggest a Simple Screening
Ted needs an expert to educate him about his hearing. Other people might not sound as credible when they talk to him about it. In that situation, the strategy will be convincing Ted (or anyone like him) to come see us.
One of the following tactics might help you do that:
- Recommend the two of you go together for back-to-back assessments. This is a beneficial way to broach a new medical situation. It’s possible you’ll discover that you’ve experienced some hearing loss, too (it may depend on how long you’ve been subjected to a high-volume sound).
- Attempt to make him feel more comfortable by letting him know that it’s just a simple screening. In most cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. Ted will get his results on an audiogram, which will analyze his hearing by frequency. We can clarify what the results mean.
Discuss Hearing Loss Behaviors
Hearing loss takes place gradually, often advancing so slowly it’s unnoticeable. Certain subconscious behaviors often develop when this occurs. You can hint in a subtle way that Ted needs a hearing aid by putting attention on these behaviors.
Try something like the following:
- Point out that he’s been avoiding talking to friends and family members by phone because he has trouble hearing what’s being said.
- Informing him that his family has observed him straining to hear. Maybe that’s why fewer individuals are going to his home to watch the Big Game each year, they have a hard time coping with the loud television.
- Point out situations where you have to translate what someone said. It might happen like this: someone is talking to Ted but you’re closer and Ted needs you to keep repeating what was said because he can’t hear them.
When you have these discussions focusing on these behaviors, not the condition, will be the goal. Instead of talking about how Ted is experiencing hearing impairment, mention how his hearing loss impacts people in his life.
Emphasize The Technology in Modern Hearing Aids
In some cases, reticence to wearing hearing aids comes from antiquated (but understandable) notions of what hearing aids do and how they influence one’s personal appearance. It might not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology utilized by contemporary hearing aids.
Here are some examples:
- Modern hearing aids contain an immense amount of technology. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices thanks to Bluetooth® connectivity. With this technology, the volume of your devices will be amplified without noise and feedback.
- Modern hearing aids are usually incredibly small and almost completely 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. Most people will probably never notice you’re wearing them.
- Some hearing aids have additional features, including the ability to translate in real-time or track important biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
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 point out the long-term advantages of hearing aids, which have been demonstrated to help people keep (or recover) their cognitive faculties. Essentially, your brain health depends on you being capable of hearing clearly.
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 your television volume up isn’t a substitute for this valuable technology.
Getting treatment as soon as you begin experiencing hearing loss can help save your hearing, and understanding that will help convince people like Ted to seek help.