According to the statistics released by WHO, over one billion people experience hearing loss globally. Of these, only a small percentage seek treatment or get in touch with an audiologist to discover the right hearing aid for their needs.
As you can see, this condition is as common as it is overlooked! So, if you have been suspecting that one of your friends, family members or loved ones is experiencing hearing loss, make sure you don’t underestimate this – their quality of life might be significantly affected by this condition!
Additionally, for those who have hearing loss, it might be difficult to speak about it openly. In this case, it is crucial that you are there to support them and encourage them to get in touch with an audiologist. Your help can make a difference – here’s how to approach them!
Keep An Eye Out For The Signs Of Hearing Loss
Firstly, take the time to observe your loved ones during their daily lives. Even if you suspect that they have hearing loss, it is recommendable to look out for the telltale signs of this condition before acting.
The best way to check whether one of your loved ones is experiencing hearing loss is to notice changes in their attitudes and daily activities.
Some of the signs of hearing loss include:
- They might struggle following a conversation on the phone.
- They seem to get often lost in a conversation and fall behind – especially when there is more than one speaker.
- When watching TV, the volume is always higher than normal. You can verify this by noticing if others complain about their volume.
- Conversing with them can be challenging and frustrating because they might miss words or sentences. If they say what? often, that’s a clear sign that they have missed a portion of the conversation.
- They have started to prefer activities without social interactions and decline invitations to dinners or parties.
Hearing loss is more commonly associated with age, but it can happen at any time. So, it is important always to monitor your loved ones to know when to act.
Handle The Conversation Delicately
If your suspicions were correct, you might be preparing yourself to have a conversation with your loved ones about their hearing loss. When doing so, it is crucial that you keep in mind that, for them, hearing loss might be a sensitive issue and a source of anxiety and embarrassment.
Forcing To Speak About It Openly Might Have A Counterproductive Effect
So, when approaching this important conversation, make sure you start by picking the right time and place. Ideally, you should find a quiet, relaxing and secure place nearby. This will help your loved ones with hearing loss feel more at ease.
Additionally, a one-on-one conversation might be the best choice for them to feel comfortable enough to speak about their experience without embarrassment.
Listen And Offer Them Support
In most cases, hearing loss is a condition that gets worse over time. So, a loved one who is living with hearing loss is already likely to know that something has changed. In this case, they might just need some encouragement to take the next step and find the right treatment for their needs.
When approaching this issue, make sure you are giving them enough space to confide in you and share their fears and frustrations.
Make The Issue About You
When speaking about hearing loss, make sure you are not accusing your loved ones of always asking you to repeat yourself or never listening to what is said to them. These sentences and accusations might have counterproductive effects and worsen the embarrassment and frustrations of your loved ones.
Instead, make the issue about you. You can say that you have noticed that you often repeat yourself when speaking with them. In this way, you allow them to understand better how their hearing loss is also affecting their loved ones.
Do Your Research And Have The Benefits Of Hearing Tests At Hand
When it comes down to speak to your loved ones about hearing loss, it is essential for you to be knowledgeable about this condition. While treatments for hearing loss are as recent as 1898, they have constantly been evolving over time.
Additionally, scientific studies have shown us how important these devices are for mental health, work-life, physical health and personal relationships. Some studies have also confirmed that hearing loss can affect our cognitive abilities and contribute to dementia.
Learning about hearing loss is also an excellent way to understand the benefits that hearing devices can offer – which can play a crucial role in encouraging a loved one to visit an audiologist.
Find The Ally You Need At Kampsen Hearing
While you might decide to address the hearing loss issue with your loved ones, you should also consider having a professional audiologist as your ally during this journey. Indeed, someone who is experiencing hearing loss might have several concerns that need addressing.