Watching sports with Ted is very frustrating. He has the volume cranked up so high the walls shake, and you definitely can’t pay attention to the game. The announcer’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the earsplitting roar of the crowd.
It isn’t in any way enjoyable. But the volume sounds fine for Ted. He requires the TV to be extremely loud so he can hear it, which makes it pretty clear he needs a hearing aid. How to discuss this with him is the difficulty. It should be a straightforward conversation, but he seems excessively sensitive about the topic.
The following are a few tips that might help.
Recommend a Simple Screening
Ted has to learn more about his hearing from a specialist. Other people may not seem as credible when they talk to him about it. If that’s the case, the trick will be convincing Ted (or anybody like him) to come see us.
You might be able to do that by making use of one of the following strategies:
- Stress that he’ll only be having a simple assessment. In most cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. His hearing will be categorized by frequency on an audiogram. We can explain what the results mean.
- Suggest that both of you go together for back-to-back assessments. This is a beneficial way to broach a new medical situation. You may find out that you also have some level of hearing loss (it could depend on how long you’ve been subjected to a high-volume sound).
Talk About Behaviors Associated With Hearing Loss
Hearing loss takes place gradually, often advancing so slowly it’s unnoticeable. When this happens, you might pick up certain behaviors without recognizing it. You can hint in a subtle way that Ted needs a hearing aid by focusing on these behaviors.
Try something like the following:
- 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.
- Informing him that his family has noticed him straining to hear. Perhaps that’s why fewer people are going to his house to watch the Big Game each year, they have a tough time dealing with the loud television.
- Point out situations where you have to translate what somebody said. It may happen like this: someone is talking to Ted but you’re closer and Ted needs you to constantly repeat what was said because he can’t hear them.
When you have these talks focusing on these behaviors, not the disorder, will be the goal. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing loss, point out how his hearing loss impacts those around him.
Talk About Hearing Aid Technology
In some cases, reluctance to using 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 used by contemporary hearing aids.
The following are some examples:
- Typically, modern hearing aids are so small you can’t even notice them. And, modern hearing aids are also comfortable to wear. They aren’t the big and bulky units they used to be. Most individuals will probably never detect you’re wearing them.
- Modern hearing aids have a considerable amount of technology. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices by way of Bluetooth® connectivity. With this technology, the volume of your devices will be increased without feedback and noise.
- Some hearing aids have additional features, such as the ability to translate in real-time or track key biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
For many individuals, hearing aids feel like an extension of their smartphones or tablets. Modern hearing aids are exceptionally useful 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 benefits of hearing aids, which have been shown to help people keep (or recover) mental equity. To put it bluntly, hearing is essential to a person’s cognitive health.
The sooner you treat your hearing loss, the more hearing you’re likely to keep in the long run. 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 your television volume up 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.