Football games with Ted are the worst. Paying attention to the game is impossible because the volume is turned up so loud that the walls rattle. The announcer’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the earsplitting thunder of the crowd.
It’s not fun. But for Ted, the volume is normal. He requires the TV to be tremendously loud so he can hear it, which makes it pretty obvious he needs a hearing aid. You’re just not sure how to talk to him that. It should be a straightforward conversation, but he seems overly sensitive about the topic.
The following are several tips that might help.
You Can Suggest he Gets a Basic Hearing Evaluation
Ted has to learn more about his hearing from an expert. Other people might not seem as credible when they tell him about it. In that situation, the trick will be getting Ted (or anyone 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 screening. In the vast majority of cases, hearing screenings are fast and easy. His hearing will be categorized by frequency on an audiogram. The meaning of the information can then be clarified by us.
- Recommend the two of you go together for back-to-back screenings. This can make beginning the dialogue easier. You might find out that you also have some level of hearing loss (depending on how long you’ve been subjected to loud sound).
Talk About Behaviors Linked To Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is often undetectable because it advances so gradually. Specific subconscious behaviors often develop when this occurs. By concentrating your conversation on those behaviors, you can subtly (or not so subtly) hint that Ted (or someone like him) needs a hearing aid.
Try something like the following:
- You could tell him your family has noticed he’s been having a difficult time hearing. Perhaps that’s why fewer individuals 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. Here’s a hypothetical example: somebody is talking to Ted but you’re closer and Ted needs you to keep repeating what was said because he can’t hear them.
- Make him aware 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.
The goal during these talks is to keep your discussion focused on these behaviors rather than the disorder. Instead of talking about how Ted is experiencing hearing loss, point out how his hearing loss impacts people in his life.
Talk About Hearing Aid Technology
Outdated notions of how a hearing aid affects your appearance and what hearing aids do, in some cases, leads to reticence to use one. It might not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology used by contemporary hearing aids.
Here are some examples:
- Some hearing aids have additional features, including the ability to translate in real-time or track important biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
- The technology of modern hearing aids is pretty advanced. Thanks to connectivity, for example, your hearing aids will pair easily with your phone or even your television speakers. With this technology, the volume of your devices will be amplified without noise and feedback.
- Typically, modern hearing aids are so small you can’t even notice them. And, modern hearing aids are also comfortable to wear. They’re not cumbersome like they once were. They won’t even be noticed by most people.
Hearing aids, for many people, are a perfect extension to their other smart technology. Modern hearing aids are exceptionally useful pieces of technology that allow you to enjoy live streaming.
Promote The Long-Term Benefits
Lastly, it’s worth taking time to point out the long-term advantages of hearing aids, which have been shown to help people keep (or recover) their cognitive faculties. To put it bluntly, hearing is crucial to a person’s mental health.
The sooner you manage your hearing loss, the more hearing you’re likely to keep in the long run. Hearing aids are calibrated to fill in specific sound wavelengths which your ears have a difficult time discerning. Simply turning your television volume up isn’t a substitute for this valuable technology.
Understanding that your hearing can be preserved by getting treatment when you first notice signs of hearing loss will help people like Ted feel comfortable seeking the help they need.