Explaining Hearing Loss to Your Loved Ones

It is common for people to experience hearing loss, which can be brought on by noise, aging, sickness or being born deaf. People with hearing impairments may have difficulty conversing with close relatives and friends. This might even be what made you notice they might have hearing loss in the first place.

About one-third of people between the ages of 65-74 have trouble hearing, and nearly half of people over the age of 75 have trouble hearing. But some people might be embarrassed to say they have trouble hearing. This is why it’s so important to be able to explain hearing loss and help those who need support. Read on to find out more.

Make Sure You Listen

It can be hard to talk to a loved one about their hearing loss. But letting them know how you feel and understanding how they feel can help them take the first steps toward finding the right hearing solution for them. People worry that if they lose their hearing, they will lose a part of themselves that they can’t get back. If they can figure out what the problem is, they can come up with a solution that gives them more control over their situation.

People who have hearing loss may try to hide it because they feel ashamed or judged for it. But there are so many things to gain from finding a way to hear. When your loved one gets a hearing aid, they are back in charge of their life.

It gives them the chance to get back in touch with the people and things they enjoy, and it helps them avoid the mental health problems that come with hearing loss. It can also help prevent problems like trouble walking, losing your balance and even dementia that can happen if hearing loss isn’t treated.

Seeing someone you care about lose their hearing can be hard. There are many ways you can help, but one of the most important things you can do right away is talk to them about what you’ve seen and hear how they feel.

Make A Plan

Organize your ideas and look for obstacles in the road ahead of time so that you can speak confidently when discussing hearing loss with your loved ones. Sharing your concerns, goals and dreams regarding your loved one’s hearing loss helps open the lines of communication in your connection.

When we’re in the heat of the moment, it’s difficult to recall all we want to say. It’s not only about protecting our own feelings while we’re trying to cope with our own emotions or worries. That’s why planning things out in advance and knowing just what you want to say is so beneficial.

Set A Goal

Setting a goal keeps you on track and offers you a starting point. Begin by describing how you’re feeling. Your loved one’s well-being may be the center of your conversation, or you may like to share an observation you’ve made.

You might like to mention how you’ve noticed some changes in your loved one’s hearing, perhaps because they’re not joining in with conversations or they’re turning up the TV much louder than required normally. This can help set the tone. Your goal could be to have them make an appointment with a hearing instrument specialist.

Be Patient

If a loved one of yours has had some form of hearing loss for a while, it is possible that you will need to have a few conversations with them before they are prepared to take the next step. Even if you have had time to prepare for this talk, it’s possible that the person you care about may be taken aback by it. Be empathic and listen to what the other person is experiencing.

Providing your loved one with the comfort of your company and the reassurance that they do not have to deal with their hearing loss alone may get them one step closer to receiving the assistance they need.

Take into consideration scheduling some time on the calendar for the two of you to go shopping together so that they can view all of their choices in person. Alternatively, you might make it a collaborative project by looking up resources online first. This can often allay fears and shows your loved one you’re really trying to help.

One of the options you have is to make an appointment with a hearing instrument specialist. If that’s what you need, why not get in touch with Affordable Hearing. Call us today at Irmo: 803-749-6017 and Orangeburg and Santee: 803-531-6403.