Watching sports with Ted is very frustrating. Paying attention to the game is impossible because the volume is cranked up so loud that the walls shake. All you notice is the roar of the crowd pounding against your body, punctuated by the ear-shattering staccato of the announcer’s play-by-play calls.
It isn’t in any way enjoyable. But for Ted, the volume is normal. He needs the TV to be extremely loud so he can hear it, which makes it pretty obvious he needs a hearing aid. How to discuss this with him is the problem. It should be a simple discussion, but he seems excessively sensitive about the topic.
The following are several recommendations that might help.
You Can Suggest he Gets a Basic Hearing Test
Ted has to find out more about his hearing from an expert. Other people may not seem as credible when they tell him about it. In that situation, the strategy will be getting Ted (or anyone like him) to come see us.
You may be able to do that by using one of the following strategies:
- Emphasize that he’ll only be having a basic assessment. In the vast majority of cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. His hearing will be broken down by frequency on an audiogram. We can explain what the results indicate.
- Offer to get a screening too. This is a helpful way to broach a new medical situation. You might find out that you also have some degree of hearing impairment (depending on how long you’ve been subjected to loud sound).
Talk About Behaviors Connected To Hearing Loss
Hearing loss occurs gradually, often progressing so slowly it’s unnoticeable. Certain subconscious behaviors often develop when this occurs. You can hint in a discreet way that Ted needs a hearing aid by focusing on these behaviors.
Try something like the following:
- Mention that you’ve noticed how often 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.
- Make him aware 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.
- You could tell him your family has observed he’s been having a tough 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 discussions focusing on these behaviors, not the disorder, will be the objective. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing impairment, point out how his hearing loss effects people in his life.
Talk About Hearing Aid Technology
Antiquated notions of how a hearing aid affects your appearance and what hearing aids do, in some cases, leads to reticence to wear one. It might not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology used by contemporary hearing aids.
Here 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 aren’t the big and bulky units they used to be. Most individuals will most likely never detect you’re wearing them.
- Some hearing aids have added features, such as the ability to translate in real-time or track important biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
- Modern hearing aids carry a huge amount of technology. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices thanks to Bluetooth® connectivity. With this technology, the volume of your devices will be amplified without noise and feedback.
For many individuals, hearing aids feel like an extension of their smartphones or tablets. In this modern world, hearing aids are extremely practical and will help you enjoy activities such as live streaming.
Promote The Long-Term Benefits
Finally, take the time to emphasize the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Essentially, your brain health depends on you being capable of hearing clearly.
You will keep more of your hearing intact in the long run if you treat your hearing loss as soon as possible. Hearing aids are calibrated to fill in specific sound wavelengths your ears have a hard time discerning. When you simply turn the volume up you don’t fill in the specific frequencies that are missing.
Getting treatment as soon as you begin noticing hearing loss can help save your hearing, and knowing that will help convince people like Ted to seek help.