Watching sports with Ted is incredibly difficult. He has the volume cranked up so high the walls rattle, and you surely can’t pay attention to the game. All you can hear is the thunder of the crowd pounding against your body, punctuated by the ear-shattering staccato of the announcer’s play-by-play calls.
It isn’t at all enjoyable. But for Ted, the volume is normal. He needs the TV to be incredibly loud so he can hear it, which makes it pretty clear he needs a hearing aid. 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.
The following are several tips that might help.
You Can Suggest he Gets a Simple Hearing Evaluation
Ted needs to find out more about his hearing from an expert. Other people might not sound as credible when they tell him about it. If that’s the case, the strategy will be getting Ted (or anyone like him) to come see us.
You might be able to do that by using one of the following tactics:
- Offer to get a screening too. This is a helpful way to discuss 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 exposed to a high-volume sound).
- Attempt to make him feel more comfortable by letting him know that it’s just a simple assessment. In most cases, hearing screenings are fast and easy. His hearing will be broken down by frequency on an audiogram. We can explain what the results indicate.
Talk About Behaviors Connected To Hearing Loss
Hearing loss happens gradually, often progressing so slowly it’s unnoticeable. When this happens, you may pick up certain behaviors without realizing it. You can hint in a subtle way that Ted needs a hearing aid by putting attention on these behaviors.
Try something like the following:
- Letting him know that his family has observed him struggling to hear. Every year it seems as if fewer and fewer people are going over to see the Big Game and that could be because the TV is so loud.
- Mention that you’ve observed how frequently you’re “translating” for him. It may 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.
- Remind Him that he’s not using the phone as much as he used to because he has a hard time hearing what his friends are saying on the other end.
When you have these talks focusing on these behaviors, not the condition, will be the objective. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing loss, point out how his hearing loss effects those around him.
Emphasize The Technology in Modern Hearing Aids
Antiquated notions of how a hearing aid impacts your appearance and what hearing aids do, in some circumstances, results in reticence to use one. It may not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology utilized by contemporary hearing aids.
The following are some examples:
- Typically, contemporary hearing aids are so small you can’t even see them. And, modern hearing aids are also comfortable to wear. They’re not cumbersome like they once were. They won’t even be seen by most people.
- Some hearing aids have added features, like the ability to translate in real-time or track key biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
- 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 provides amplified volumes without noise or feedback.
Hearing aids, for many people, are a perfect extension to their other smart technology. 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 some time to point out the connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Essentially, your brain health depends on you being able to hear clearly.
The sooner you manage your hearing loss, the more hearing you’re likely to keep in the long run. Hearing aids are calibrated specifically to fill in the sound wavelengths which your ears have a difficult time discerning. Simply turning your television volume up is no substitute for this valuable technology.
Recognizing 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.