Watching sports with Ted is incredibly difficult. He has the volume cranked up so loud the walls shake, and you surely can’t pay attention to the game. All you can hear is the roar of the crowd pounding against your body, punctuated by the ear-shattering staccato of the commentator’s play-by-play calls.
It isn’t in any way pleasant. But for Ted, the volume is normal. Everything needs to be at top volume in order for him to hear it, making it rather apparent that it’s time to think about hearing aids. You’re just not certain how to tell him that. It should be a straightforward conversation, but he seems overly sensitive about the topic.
The following are some tips that may help.
You Can Suggest he Gets a Basic Hearing Evaluation
Ted needs an expert to educate him about his hearing. Other people might not seem as credible when they talk to him about it. If that’s the case, the trick will be getting Ted (or anybody like him) to come see us.
You might be able to do that by making use of one of the following strategies:
- Attempt to make him feel more comfortable by letting him know that it’s just a simple screening. In most cases, hearing screenings are quick and easy. His hearing will be categorized by frequency on an audiogram. We can explain what the results indicate.
- Offer to get a screening with him. This can make beginning the conversation easier. It’s possible you’ll discover that you’ve experienced some hearing loss, as well (it may depend on how long you’ve been exposed to a high-volume noise).
Talk About Behaviors Associated With Hearing Loss
Hearing loss occurs gradually, often advancing so slowly it’s not noticeable. Certain subconscious behaviors often develop when this occurs. By focusing your conversation on those behaviors, you can subtly (or not so subtly) hint that Ted (or somebody like him) needs a hearing aid.
Try some of these strategies:
- You could tell him the family has noticed he’s been having a tough time hearing. Perhaps that’s why fewer people are going to his house to watch the Big Game each year, they have a difficult time dealing with the loud television.
- Point out that you’ve observed how often you’re “translating” for him. Here’s a hypothetical example: someone is talking to Ted but you’re closer and Ted needs you to keep repeating what was said because he can’t understand them.
- Point out that he’s been avoiding talking to family members and friends on the phone because he has difficulty hearing what’s being said.
The goal during these talks is to keep your discussion centered on these behaviors instead of the disorder. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing loss, mention how his hearing loss impacts those around him.
Talk About Hearing Aid Technology
In some instances, reticence to using hearing aids comes from outdated (but understandable) ideas of what hearing aids do and how they impact one’s personal appearance. It may not be a bad idea to emphasize the innovative technology employed 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. With this technology, the volume of your devices will be amplified without noise and feedback.
- Some hearing aids have extra features, such as the ability to translate in real-time or track key biometrics better than some commercial fitness trackers.
- Modern hearing aids are typically incredibly small and almost totally unseen to the naked eye. That’s not all, modern hearing aids are exceptionally comfortable for the wearer. They’re not cumbersome like they once were. Most individuals will most likely never detect you’re wearing them.
Hearing aids, for many people, are a perfect 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
Lastly, it’s worth taking time to point out the long-term benefits of hearing aids, which have been shown to help people keep (or recover) their cognitive faculties. Essentially, your brain health depends on you being able to hear clearly.
You will keep more of your hearing intact in the long run if you address your hearing loss as soon as you can. Hearing aids are calibrated specifically to fill in the sound wavelengths 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 start experiencing hearing loss can help save your hearing, and knowing that will help persuade people like Ted to seek help.