When your loved one starts showing signs of hearing loss, it can be difficult to know how to approach them. A good way to establish a plan for their hearing loss treatment is to include yourself and make sure they don’t feel alone.
Here are some tips for encouraging hearing tests and promoting overall hearing health.
Get the family involved: Concerns coming from more than one family member shows your loved one their hearing health is important to the whole family. It’s also a good time to explain how their hearing loss impacts others as well. Group conversations can easily become overwhelming, so have discussions one-on-one or in a small group.
Educate them and yourself: Doing your research before you discuss seeing an audiologist will help validate your concerns and put your loved one at ease. Learning together creates a support system for them as they begin their hearing health journey.
Hearing tests are good for your health: Not only do hearing tests set a baseline for your hearing ability, but they also provide insight into your overall health. Conditions like diabetes and heart disease can cause hearing loss. Getting a hearing test can help catch symptoms of these conditions before they get out of control.
Go to the audiologist together: Visiting a new doctor can be a stressful experience. Go to the audiology with your loved one to soothe their nerves. Get your hearing tested with them – it’s never too early to get a hearing test – so you can go through the process together.
Discuss the problems with waiting: Be open and honest with your loved one and discuss the implications associated with avoiding the audiologist. Hearing loss can improve with hearing devices but will only worsen over time without proper treatment. Some hearing loss is also irreversible.
Listen to their side: Your loved one may protest to a hearing test. Disregarding concerns will only push them away, so hear them out. They may think hearing tests and devices are too much hassle, so consult a hearing professional who can explain what to expect.
Audio Help Hearing Centers are committed to giving all our clients access to the best hearing evaluations, services, and devices. Call us at 888-832-9966 or contact us online to learn more.
