Watching sports with Ted is incredibly frustrating. He has the volume cranked up so high the walls shake, and you certainly can’t tune in to the game. The announcer’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the earsplitting thunder of the crowd.
It’s not pleasant. But the volume seems fine for Ted. Everything has to be at top volume for him to hear it, making it pretty apparent that it’s time to think about hearing aids. You’re just not certain how to talk to him that. It should be a simple discussion, but he seems overly sensitive about the topic.
These tips are a good place to begin.
Suggest a Simple Screening
Ted needs an expert to educate him about his hearing. Other people may not seem as credible when they tell him about it. In that situation, the trick will be convincing Ted (or anybody like him) to come see us.
One of the following tactics might help you do that:
- Attempt to make him feel more comfortable by letting him know that it’s just a simple assessment. In the vast majority of cases, hearing screenings are fast and easy. Ted will receive his results on an audiogram, which will break down his hearing by frequency. We can clarify what the results indicate.
- Offer to get a screening too. This is a beneficial way to broach a new medical situation. It’s possible you’ll discover that you’ve experienced some hearing loss, also (it could depend on how long you’ve been subjected to a high-volume sound).
Discuss Hearing Loss Behaviors
Hearing loss is frequently undetectable because it progresses so slowly. Specific subconscious behaviors frequently develop when this happens. By focusing your conversation on those behaviors, you can subtly (or not so subtly) hint that Ted (or somebody like him) needs a hearing aid.
Try some of these strategies:
- Remind Him that he’s not talking on the phone as much as he used to because he has a difficult time hearing what his friends are saying on the other end.
- Point out that you’ve observed how frequently you’re “translating” for him. Here’s a hypothetical example: someone is talking to Ted but you’re closer and Ted needs you to keep repeating what was said because he can’t understand them.
- You could tell him the family has observed he’s been having a tough time hearing. Perhaps that’s why fewer people 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 conversations focusing on these behaviors, not the disorder, will be the objective. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing loss, point out how his hearing loss impacts those around him.
Highlight The Technology in Modern Hearing Aids
Antiquated notions of how a hearing aid impacts your appearance and what hearing aids do, in some cases, results in reluctance to use one. It may not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology used by modern hearing aids.
The following are some examples:
- Some hearing aids have added features, including the ability to translate in real-time or track key biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
- Modern hearing aids are generally incredibly small and almost entirely imperceptible to the naked eye. And, modern hearing aids are also comfortable to wear. They aren’t the big and cumbersome units they used to be. They won’t even be noticed by most people.
- Modern hearing aids contain an immense amount of technology. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices by way of Bluetooth® connectivity. This delivers amplified volumes without feedback or noise.
Hearing aids, for many individuals, are an ideal extension to their other smart technology. Modern hearing aids are exceptionally helpful pieces of technology that help you enjoy live streaming.
Highlight The Long-Term Benefits
Finally, take the time to emphasize the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. To put it bluntly, hearing is crucial to a person’s cognitive health.
You will keep more of your hearing undamaged in the long run if you manage your hearing loss as soon as possible. When you have hearing loss, your ears have a hard time processing particular wavelengths and hearing aids are calibrated to fill in those missing frequencies. Simply turning your television volume up is no substitute for this valuable technology.
Getting treatment as soon as you begin noticing hearing loss can help save your hearing, and knowing that will help persuade people like Ted to seek help.