Football games with Ted are the worst. Enjoying the game is impossible because the volume is cranked up so loud that the walls rattle. The commentator’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the earsplitting thunder of the crowd.
It isn’t at all enjoyable. But the volume seems normal for Ted. Everything has to be at top volume for him to hear it, making it rather apparent that it’s time to think about hearing aids. How to talk to him about it is the challenge. It should be a simple discussion, but he seems overly sensitive about the topic.
These tips are a good place to begin.
You Can Recommend he Gets a Basic Hearing Evaluation
Ted has to learn more about his hearing from a specialist. He might not believe other people when they tell him he needs a hearing aid. If that’s the case, the trick will be getting Ted (or anybody like him) to come see us.
One of the following strategies might help you do that:
- Emphasize that he’ll only be having a basic screening. In most cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. Ted will receive his results on an audiogram, which will analyze his hearing by frequency. We can clarify what the results mean.
- Offer to get a screening too. This can make starting the dialogue easier. You may discover that you also have some level of hearing loss (it may depend on how long you’ve been exposed to a high-volume noise).
Comment on Hearing Loss Behaviors
Hearing loss takes place gradually, often progressing so slowly it’s not noticeable. When this occurs, you may acquire certain behaviors without realizing it. You can hint in a discreet way that Ted needs a hearing aid by putting attention on these behaviors.
Try some of these approaches:
- Make him aware that he’s not talking on 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 situations where you need to translate what someone said. Here’s a hypothetical example: somebody is talking to Ted but you’re closer and Ted needs you to keep repeating what was said because he can’t hear them.
- You could tell him your family has noticed he’s been having a hard time hearing. Perhaps that’s why fewer individuals are going to his house to watch the Big Game each year, they have a difficult time dealing with the loud television.
When you have these talks 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 effects those around him.
Emphasize The Technology in Modern Hearing Aids
In some cases, reticence to wearing hearing aids comes from antiquated (but understandable) impressions of what hearing aids do and how they impact one’s personal appearance. It might not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology utilized by modern hearing aids.
The following are some examples:
- Modern hearing aids have a huge amount of technology. Thanks to connectivity, for example, your hearing aids will pair easily with your phone or even your television speakers. This delivers amplified volumes without noise or feedback.
- Typically, modern hearing aids are so small you can’t even see them. That’s not all, modern hearing aids are incredibly comfortable for the wearer. They aren’t the big and bulky units of the past. They won’t even be seen by most people.
- Some hearing aids can even track your health and fitness biometrics and translate them in real time as well as other added features.
For many individuals, hearing aids feel like an extension of their smartphones or tablets. In this modern world, hearing aids are incredibly practical and will help you enjoy activities such as live streaming.
Promote The Long-Term Benefits
Finally, take some time to point out the link between hearing loss and mental health decline. In other words, your brain health depends on you being able to hear clearly.
You will keep more of your hearing undamaged in the long run if you treat your hearing loss as soon as possible. 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. Simply turning up your TV is no substitute for this valuable technology.
Getting treatment as soon as you start noticing hearing loss can help save your hearing, and knowing that will help persuade people like Ted to seek help.
