Football games with Ted are the worst. Paying attention to the game is impossible because the volume is cranked up so loud that the walls rattle. All you can hear is the thunder of the crowd pounding against your body, punctuated by the ear-shattering staccato of the announcer’s play-by-play calls.
It isn’t in any way pleasant. But the volume seems normal for Ted. He requires the TV to be incredibly loud so he can hear it, which makes it rather obvious he needs a hearing aid. You’re just not certain how to tell 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.
Recommend a Simple Screening
Ted has to learn more about his hearing from a specialist. Other people might not seem as credible when they talk to him about it. In that situation, the trick will be convincing Ted (or anybody like him) to come see us.
You may be able to accomplish that by making use of one of the following tactics:
- Stress that he’ll only be having a basic assessment. In most cases, hearing screenings are fast and easy. His hearing will be broken down by frequency on an audiogram. We can explain what the results indicate.
- Offer to get a screening with him. This can make starting the conversation easier. You may find out that you also have some degree of hearing impairment (it may depend on how long you’ve been subjected to a high-volume noise).
Comment on Hearing Loss Behaviors
Hearing loss happens slowly, often progressing so slowly it’s not noticeable. Specific subconscious behaviors often develop when this occurs. You can hint in a discreet way that Ted needs a hearing aid by focusing on these behaviors.
Try something like the following:
- 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.
- Point out instances where you have to translate what somebody said. It might happen like this: your friend says something at dinner, Ted doesn’t hear or comprehend it, and you need to repeat what they said to Ted because you’re closer to him.
- Informing him that his family has observed him struggling to hear. Every year it seems as if fewer and fewer people are going over to watch the Big Game and that could be because the TV is so loud.
The goal during these conversations is to keep your discussion focused on these behaviors instead of the ailment. Instead of discussing how Ted is experiencing hearing impairment, mention how his hearing loss impacts people in his life.
Talk About Hearing Aid Technology
Outdated ideas of how a hearing aid affects your appearance and what hearing aids do, in some instances, results in reticence to wear 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 can even track your health and fitness biometrics and render them in real time as well as other added features.
- Usually, contemporary hearing aids are so small you can’t even see them. That’s not all, modern hearing aids are incredibly comfortable for the wearer. They aren’t the big and bulky units they used to be. They won’t even be seen by most people.
- Modern hearing aids contain a considerable amount of technology. Your hearing aid will connect wirelessly with your phone, TV, and other smart devices by way of Bluetooth® connectivity. This delivers amplified volumes without feedback or noise.
Hearing aids, for many individuals, are an ideal extension to their other smart technology. In this modern world, hearing aids are incredibly practical and will help you enjoy activities like live streaming.
Highlight The Long-Term Benefits
Finally, take some time to emphasize the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Essentially, your brain health depends on you being able to hear clearly.
The sooner you manage your hearing loss, the more hearing you’re likely to keep over time. Hearing aids are calibrated to fill in specific sound wavelengths your ears have a hard time discerning. When you simply turn the volume up you don’t fill in the particular frequencies that are missing.
Getting treatment as soon as you begin noticing hearing loss can help save your hearing, and understanding that will help persuade people like Ted to seek help.