How to Talk to a Loved One About Hearing Loss

How to Talk to A Loved One About Hearing Loss

Hearing loss usually creeps up so slowly that a person does not fully realize it is happening. It is difficult to watch someone struggle to hear, but it can be just as difficult to talk to them about it. At the same time, it is crucial that hearing loss is treated as soon as possible. We hope that our guide will help you talk to your loved one about hearing loss.

Signs of Hearing Loss

Not responding when their name is called
Constantly asking people to repeat themselves
Complaining about others mumbling or not speaking clearly
Having trouble following conversations
Turning up a TV or stereo very loud
Pretending to agree without comprehension, or withdrawing from conversations altogether

Denial

Hearing loss is an emotional and physical journey, often invoking fear, frustration, and denial. Speaking louder and repeating oneself are steps that might be keeping your loved one in a state of denial about their hearing loss.

Unfortunately, there is a stigma attached to hearing loss, and it can cause anxiety, shame, and embarrassment. These feelings can be associated with fears of decline and dementia.

Fortunately, there are ways to approach your loved one that can help ease them into an acceptance and a solution-oriented discussion. Your patience and compassion around this issue can break the cycle of fear and isolation and let them know someone is there to help them in a loving way.

Use “I” or “We”

If you ease into the conversation using phrases such as “I have noticed.…,” or “we feel concerned ….,” rather than phrases like “You always…,” they are less likely to shut down and become defensive. It might be helpful to document incidents that bring about awareness of their hearing loss. Keep the language compassionate and not accusatory. Some conversation openers about these incidents might be:

“I notice that you often ask people to repeat what they’ve said.”
“I’m concerned about your hearing because the TV volume is always up so high.”
“I noticed that you didn’t join in the conversation yesterday.”

Stay Positive

Help to allay their fears by subtly bringing up solutions to the problem. Talk about the benefits of correcting their hearing loss…being able to hear grandchildren, participate in family conversations, enjoy music and nature again to a fuller degree. Share a couple of testimonials about how hearing aid solutions improved the quality of peoples’ lives. Success stories of others who overcome this problem tend to de-stigmatize hearing loss and relieve the sense of isolation that can so often accompany it.

Hearing loss is also a safety issue. Driving, walking around town, and safety alarms are all examples of situations that are problematic for the hearing impaired. For example, you could say “I read about a woman with hearing loss whose life was saved by her hearing aids. Without them, she would not have heard the fire alarm. “

Don’t Push.

If your conversations around hearing loss are met with anger or unwillingness to discuss it, back off. Wait for a better time to approach the subject again. Contact a hearing specialist for resources and printed information that they can read on their own. Be patient and keep trying to encourage your loved one to seek treatment.

How to Talk to a Loved One About Hearing Loss