Football games with Ted are the worst. He has the volume turned up so high the walls shake, and you surely can’t tune in to the game. The announcer’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the deafening thunder of the crowd.
It isn’t by any means pleasant. But the volume sounds fine for Ted. Everything has to be at max volume in order for him to hear it, making it pretty obvious that it’s time to consider hearing aids. How to discuss this with him is the difficulty. It should be a simple discussion, but he seems overly sensitive about the topic.
The following are several tips that could help.
You Can Recommend he Gets a Simple Hearing Evaluation
Ted has to find out more about his hearing from an expert. He might not trust other people when they inform him he needs a hearing aid. If that’s the case, the strategy will be getting Ted (or anybody like him) to come see us.
You may be able to do that by using one of the following strategies:
- Try making him feel more at ease by letting him know that it’s just a simple screening. In the vast majority of cases, hearing screenings are fast and easy. His hearing will be categorized by frequency on an audiogram. The meaning of the results can then be broken down by us.
- Offer to get a screening with him. This is a helpful way to discuss 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 exposed to a high-volume noise).
Talk About Behaviors Associated With Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is often indiscernible because it progresses so gradually. When this happens, you may acquire certain behaviors without recognizing it. By concentrating your discussion on those behaviors, you can subtly (or not so subtly) hint that Ted (or someone like him) needs a hearing aid.
Try something like the following:
- You could tell him your family has observed he’s been having a hard time hearing. Maybe that’s why fewer individuals are going to his home to watch the Big Game each year, they have a difficult time dealing with the loud television.
- Point out instances where you have to translate what somebody said. It might happen like this: somebody is talking to Ted but you’re closer and Ted needs you to constantly repeat what was said because he can’t understand them.
- Remind Him that he’s not using the phone as much as he used to because he has a difficult time hearing what his friends are saying on the other end.
When you have these conversations focusing on these behaviors, not the disorder, will be the objective. Instead of talking about how Ted is experiencing hearing loss, mention how his hearing loss effects people in his life.
Talk About Hearing Aid Technology
In some instances, reticence to using hearing aids comes from outdated (but understandable) notions of what hearing aids do and how they affect one’s personal appearance. It may not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology used by contemporary hearing aids.
The following are some examples:
- Modern hearing aids carry an immense amount of technology. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices by way of Bluetooth® connectivity. With this tech, the volume of your devices will be increased without noise and feedback.
- Some hearing aids have extra features, like the ability to translate in real-time or track important biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
- Usually, contemporary hearing aids are so small you can’t even see them. And, modern hearing aids are also comfortable to wear. They’re not bulky like they once were. They won’t even be noticed by most people.
For many people, hearing aids feel like an extension of their smartphones or tablets. In this modern world, hearing aids are extremely useful and will help you enjoy activities like live streaming.
Promote The Long-Term Benefits
Finally, take the time to point out the link between hearing loss and mental health decline. To put it bluntly, hearing is essential to a person’s mental health.
The sooner you address your hearing loss, the more hearing you’re likely to keep over time. Hearing aids are calibrated specifically to fill in the sound wavelengths your ears have a hard time discerning. 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 persuade people like Ted to seek help.