Watching sports with Ted is incredibly difficult. Paying attention to the game is impossible because the volume is cranked up so loud that the walls shake. The commentator’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the earsplitting roar of the crowd.
It isn’t at all pleasant. But for Ted, it’s a normal volume. Everything needs to be at max volume for him to hear it, making it pretty obvious that it’s time to consider hearing aids. You’re just not certain how to talk to him that. It should be a simple conversation, but he seems overly sensitive about the topic.
The following are some recommendations that may help.
Encourage a Simple Exam
Ted has to find out more about his hearing from a specialist. Other people may not sound as credible when they talk to him about it. In that situation, the trick will be convincing Ted (or anybody like him) to come see us.
One of the following strategies may help you do that:
- Stress that he’ll only be undergoing a basic assessment. In most cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. Ted will receive his results on an audiogram, which will analyze his hearing by frequency. The meaning of the information can then be broken down by us.
- Recommend the two of you go together for back-to-back screenings. This can make starting the dialogue easier. It’s possible you’ll learn that you’ve experienced some hearing loss, also (it may depend on how long you’ve been exposed to a high-volume noise).
Talk About Behaviors Linked To Hearing Loss
Hearing loss takes place gradually, often advancing so slowly it’s not noticeable. Certain subconscious behaviors often develop when this happens. You can hint in a subtle way that Ted needs a hearing aid by focusing on these behaviors.
Try some of these strategies:
- You could tell him your family has observed he’s been having a difficult time hearing. Maybe that’s why fewer individuals are going to his home to watch the Big Game each year, they have a hard time dealing with the loud television.
- Mention that you’ve noticed how often you’re “translating” for him. Here’s a hypothetical example: your friend says something at breakfast, Ted doesn’t hear or comprehend it, and you need to repeat the sentence to Ted because you’re closer to him.
- Point out that he’s been avoiding talking to family members and friends by phone because he has trouble hearing what they say.
When you have these conversations focusing on these behaviors, not the condition, will be the objective. Instead of talking about how Ted is experiencing hearing impairment, point out how his hearing loss effects people in his life.
Emphasize The Technology in Modern Hearing Aids
In some cases, reticence to using hearing aids comes from outdated (but understandable) impressions 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 employed by modern hearing aids.
Here are some examples:
- Modern hearing aids carry an incredible amount of technology. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices thanks to Bluetooth® connectivity. This provides amplified volumes without feedback or noise.
- Modern hearing aids are generally very small and almost entirely unseen to the naked eye. And, modern hearing aids are also comfortable to wear. They’re not bulky like they once were. Most individuals will probably never detect you’re wearing them.
- Some hearing aids can even monitor your health and fitness biometrics and translate them in real time as well as other added features.
Hearing aids, for many people, are an ideal extension to their other smart technology. In this modern world, hearing aids are extremely practical 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 mental health decline. Essentially, your brain health depends on you being able to hear clearly.
The sooner you address 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 up your TV is no substitute for this valuable technology.
Getting treatment as soon as you begin experiencing hearing loss can help save your hearing, and knowing that will help persuade people like Ted to seek help.