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Do you have a loved one who’s struggling to hear? Around 40 million Americans have hearing loss, so there’s a good chance that someone you know is struggling to hear. If you have a family member who’s hard of hearing, you know how difficult it is to get them to take a hearing test. Whenever you mention their hearing loss, they get defensive, and don’t want to acknowledge that they’re not hearing very well. You’ve tried giving them pamphlets about hearing loss, or sent them articles about the benefits of treating hearing loss, but they haven’t read them. Don’t give up, but follow these tips when encouraging a loved one to take a hearing test.
Stay Calm
When your loved one gets defensive, it’s easy to get a bit worked up. Take a deep breath and stay calm. It’s likely that your loved one is reluctant to admit to their hearing loss because of the stigma around hearing loss. Many people believe that admitting that they can’t hear will make them seem old. Remind your loved one that 1 in 3 adults over the age of 60 have hearing loss, and that younger adults and even children experience hearing loss. Having hearing loss doesn’t make them old, but refusing treatment and choosing a life of straining to hear will make them seem far older than their years.
Know the Facts
When having a conversation with your loved one about hearing loss, it’s important to know the facts. Spend some time reading about hearing loss, and learn how untreated hearing loss affects relationships, employment, mental and physical health, and quality of life. Living with untreated hearing loss also leads to rapid rates of cognitive decline, memory problems, and even a higher risk of dementia.
Remind Them of What They’re Missing
Your loved one with hearing loss is missing out on a world of sound. Remind your loved one about the birds chirping outside, or the sound of the grandkid’s laughter. Talk about the dinner they missed last week because they were embarrassed that they can’t hear clearly in places with a lot of background noise. Stress the importance of clear hearing in protecting the relationships that matter the most, and how putting off a hearing test will mean they’ll miss out on more of the sounds they love.
Go to the Appointment Together
If your loved one admits they have hearing loss, but are nervous to go for a hearing test, make it a group event, and encourage your friends and family to accompany you to the hearing test. It’s recommended that everyone over the age of 50 gets their hearing checked once every few years, and those over 65 should be checking their hearing every year. If your loved one has a friend who’s also getting their hearing tested, it won’t be so intimidating. Don’t know anyone else who needs their hearing tested? Offer to go with your loved on to the hearing test so they won’t feel nervous about going to the appointment alone.
Hearing Aid Trial
Remind your loved one that they can take advantage of a hearing aid trial after their hearing test. They don’t have to commit to buying devices right away, but can take a pair home for a few days and make sure they’re making the right choice. They’ll be able to see the difference before and after hearing aids, and will be excited to get a pair of their own.
Palm Beach Hearing Associates
When your loved one is ready to take a hearing test, call us at Palm Beach Hearing Associates to book an appointment. Our dedicated team of hearing health specialists will make sure your loved one receives the best in hearing health care, and we’ll help them discover exactly which sounds they can and can’t hear. We’ll work closely with you and your loved one to find the perfect hearing aids to help them hear in every listening environment, and have them excited to put in their devices every morning. No one will notice that your loved one is “growing old” and the only thing people will be talking about is how well they can hear, and how much energy they have to do the things they love. Call us today to book an appointment!