Football games with Ted are the worst. Enjoying the game is impossible because the volume is turned up so loud that the walls rattle. The commentator’s play-by-play calls are an ear shattering staccato against the deafening thunder of the crowd.
It isn’t in any way enjoyable. But for Ted, it’s a normal volume. Everything has to be at max volume for him to be able to hear it, making it pretty apparent that it’s time to consider hearing aids. You’re just not sure how to tell him that. His sensitivity about the topic makes what should be a simple conversation a lot more challenging.
The following are a few recommendations that might help.
You Can Recommend he Gets a Basic Hearing Exam
Ted has to learn more about his hearing from a specialist. He may not believe other people when they inform him he needs a hearing aid. If that’s the case, the strategy will be convincing Ted (or anybody like him) to come see us.
One of the following strategies may help you do that:
- Offer to get a screening with him. This is a beneficial way to discuss a new medical situation. You might discover that you also have some degree of hearing loss (depending on how long you’ve been subjected to loud noise).
- Emphasize that he’ll only be having a basic screening. In the vast majority of cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. Ted will receive his results on an audiogram, which will break down his hearing by frequency. We can detail what the results indicate.
Chat About Hearing Loss Behaviors
Hearing loss is often undetectable because it advances so gradually. Specific subconscious behaviors often develop when this happens. You can hint in a discreet way that Ted needs a hearing aid by focusing on these behaviors.
Try some of these approaches:
- Point out that he’s been avoiding talking to family members and friends on the phone because he has difficulty hearing what they say.
- You could tell him the family has observed he’s been having a difficult time hearing. Every year it seems like fewer and fewer people are going over to watch the Big Game and that could be because the TV is so loud.
- Point out instances where you need to translate what someone said. Here’s a hypothetical example: somebody is talking to Ted but you’re closer and Ted needs you to constantly repeat what was said because he can’t understand them.
The goal during these talks is to keep your discussion focused on these behaviors instead of the ailment. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing impairment, point out how his hearing loss effects people in his life.
Emphasize The Technology in Contemporary Hearing Aids
Sometimes, reticence to using hearing aids comes from outdated (but understandable) ideas of what hearing aids do and how they influence one’s personal appearance. It might not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology utilized by contemporary hearing aids.
The following are some examples:
- Some hearing aids can even track your health and fitness biometrics and translate them in real time as well as other additional features.
- The technology of modern hearing aids is quite advanced. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices by way of Bluetooth® connectivity. With this technology, the volume of your devices will be amplified without noise and feedback.
- Usually, modern hearing aids are so small you can’t even notice them. That’s not all, modern hearing aids are exceptionally comfortable for the wearer. They aren’t the big and cumbersome units of the past. They won’t even be seen by most people.
Hearing aids, for many individuals, are a perfect extension to their other smart technology. Modern hearing aids are exceptionally useful pieces of technology that help you enjoy live streaming.
Highlight The Long-Term Benefits
Finally, take some time to emphasize the connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline. To put it bluntly, hearing is critical to a person’s cognitive health.
You will keep more of your hearing intact in the long run if you address your hearing loss as soon as possible. When you have hearing loss, your ears have a difficult time processing specific wavelengths and hearing aids are calibrated to fill in those missing frequencies. Simply turning your television volume up is no substitute for this valuable technology.
Getting treatment as soon as you start experiencing hearing loss can help save your hearing, and understanding that will help convince people like Ted to seek help.
