Explaining Hearing Loss To Your Loved Ones

While it can be difficult and frustrating to watch a loved one struggle unnecessarily, it’s not easy for them to accept hearing loss. 

Therefore, here are some tips to help them accept the situation and educate them on the options available for hearing loss.

When you approach a conversation about hearing loss, it's best to do so with factual information. Therefore, one of the best places to start is by explaining the health benefits of hearing aids. 

For example, numerous studies have shown that hearing loss can cause serious health issues such as Alzheimer's disease. Depression is also closely linked to hearing loss, and there are plenty of studies to prove it. While moderate depression is only prevalent in 4.9 percent of those with excellent hearing, it's prevalent in 11.4 percent of people with some degree of hearing loss.

If your loved one shrugs off the health risks of hearing loss, discussing the employment opportunities hearing aids can present is a great way to convince them to give hearing aids a try (particularly the younger and middle-aged population).

While it's not legal to discriminate against those with hearing loss in the workplace (unless it's for safety reasons), that doesn't mean that employers will hire you. In fact, less than 40 percent of those with hearing loss hold full-time jobs. However, the good news is that using hearing aids can significantly increase employment opportunities as it will reduce misunderstandings and enable the user to perform at a higher level.

Another key reason why people avoid wearing hearing aids is that they believe hearing aids are clunky, uncomfortable, and unattractive. While that may have been true 20 or even 10 years ago, modern hearing aids are much more advanced in functionality and style.

In fact, some hearing aids, such as the Phonak Lyric, are invisible to those around you.

Even if you choose a behind-the-ear or receiver-in-canal hearing aid, the modern models are sleek and discreet, similar to the style of an iPhone or other fashionable technology.

Before talking to your loved one, do some research and present images of current models.

One of the main reasons people that could benefit from hearing aids yet never purchase them is the cost. A pair of quality hearing aids that are properly fitted may cost several thousand dollars, so it's a major investment.

However, if you show your loved one the cost of reduced employment opportunities, early dementia onset, and overall depression, a few thousand dollars is hardly a cost.

In addition, you can research their insurance and see if it will cover hearing aids.

While you can’t force your loved one to try hearing aids, you can certainly set a good example by regularly getting your hearing tested. This will help reduce the negative stigma associated with hearing aids and make hearing health normal. 

If you need further assistance speaking with a loved one, don’t hesitate to reach out to our doctors, as they will be happy to assist you in the process.