LOVED ONES WITH HEARING LOSS
Help those you care about get the help they need to improve their hearing.
Hearing loss doesn’t just affect the person who has it. It also affects spouses, family members and friends.
Physically, the inability to hear warning sounds or the voices of dependents could potentially put lives in danger. Even emotionally, the impact can resonate throughout the family and social circles – from frustration with repeating things over and over, to sadness at seeing a loved one isolate themselves from the people and activities they once enjoyed.
There are links between hearing loss, depression and a decline in cognitive function. Just like exercise, hearing keeps your brain energised, so it is of great importance to support a friend or family member overcome personal obstacles relating to hearing loss.
Convincing someone to seek help for hearing loss is the right thing to do, but is not always easy.
What you can do?
Talk to them about their hearing concerns and your concern for them
Gently remind them of their hearing loss every time you ‘translate’ or repeat something for them
Encourage them to visit a hearing professional or do more research and get their questions answered
Offer to book and attend a hearing consultation with them, this can often be a daunting prospect for them as they probably haven’t had a hearing assessment before
Remind them they have nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain by seeing a hearing professional
Helping your Parents Deal with Hearing Loss
As our parents get older, they might become hard of hearing, this is a normal part of the aging process. It is not always easy to discuss, but the sooner you do, the sooner you can help them to communicate better, resulting in a positive long-term outcome for both of you.
Pick the right time to sit down and talk to them, make it clear that you care and are genuinely concerned. Explain to them that you feel they are missing out, your support is likely to help your parents deal better with the issue.
Visit the hearing professional with them, you can hear the information together and discuss the options available. Do your homework and find out more about hearing aids, this will help you encourage them to understand the benefits and how it can improve their quality of life. They are never too old to be helped.