How to Make Him Aware That he Needs a Hearing Aid

Mature man smiling on couch because now he can hear the TV with his hearing aids.

Football games with Ted are miserable. Enjoying the game is impossible because the volume is cranked up so loud that the walls rattle. The announcer’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the earsplitting roar of the crowd.

It’s not pleasant. But for Ted, it’s a normal volume. 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 certain how to talk to him that. His sensitivity about the subject makes what should be a simple conversation a lot more challenging.

These tips are a good place to start.

Encourage a Basic Screening

Ted needs to find out more about his hearing from an expert. He might not believe other people when they inform him he needs a hearing aid. In that situation, the trick will be getting Ted (or anyone like him) to come see us.

One of the following tactics might help you do that:

  • Attempt to make him feel more at ease by letting him know that it’s just a simple screening. In most cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. His hearing will be broken down by frequency on an audiogram. The significance of the results can then be broken down by us.
  • Recommend that both of you go together for back-to-back screenings. This is a helpful way to broach a new medical situation. It’s possible you’ll discover that you’ve experienced some hearing loss, as well (it could depend on how long you’ve been subjected to a high-volume sound).

Talk About Behaviors Associated With Hearing Loss

Hearing loss happens slowly, often progressing so slowly it’s not noticeable. When this happens, you may pick up certain behaviors without recognizing it. You can hint in a subtle way that Ted needs a hearing aid by putting attention on these behaviors.

Try something like the following:

  • Letting him know that his family has observed him straining to hear. Perhaps that’s why fewer individuals are going to his house to watch the Big Game each year, they have a difficult time coping with the loud television.
  • Point out that you’ve observed how frequently you’re “translating” for him. It might happen like this: your friend says something at dinner, Ted doesn’t hear or understand it, and you need to repeat the sentence to Ted because you’re closer to him.
  • Make him aware that he’s not talking on the phone as much as he once did because he has a difficult time hearing what his friends are saying on the other end.

The goal during these conversations is to keep your discussion centered on these behaviors rather than the ailment. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing loss, point out how his hearing loss impacts those around him.

Talk About Hearing Aid Technology

Antiquated notions of how a hearing aid affects your appearance and what hearing aids do, in some circumstances, leads to reluctance to wear one. It might not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology used by contemporary hearing aids.

Here are some examples:

  • Modern hearing aids have a considerable amount of technology. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices thanks to Bluetooth® connectivity. This delivers amplified volumes without noise or feedback.
  • Typically, modern 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 of the past. They won’t even be seen by most people.
  • Some hearing aids have added features, including 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. In this modern world, hearing aids are incredibly useful and will help you enjoy activities such as live streaming.

Highlight The Long-Term Benefits

Finally, take the time to point out the connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline. To put it bluntly, hearing is essential to a person’s mental health.

You will keep more of your hearing intact in the long run if you manage your hearing loss as soon as possible. When you have hearing impairment, your ears have a hard time processing particular wavelengths and hearing aids are calibrated to fill in those missing frequencies. When you simply turn up the volume you don’t fill in the particular frequencies that are missing.

Recognizing that your hearing can be preserved by getting treatment when you first notice signs of hearing loss will help people like Ted feel comfortable getting the help they need.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.