Offering Support to Your Loved One with Hearing Loss

Do you have a loved one in your life that just doesn’t hear as well as they used to? Whether you find yourself repeating sentences frequently, having to turn the volume up to an uncomfortable level for most or simply waiting to speak to your loved one until they are facing you – chances are, they have hearing loss.

Because hearing loss can occur so gradually, it can be difficult for your loved ones to recognize or notice their symptoms. Often, loved ones are the first people to clue others in to their poor hearing. If you are helping your loved one with hearing loss, consider the following easy ways you can support this.

Go to the Audiologist with Them

Whether it’s their first appointment or their fifth, your loved ones may occasionally feel uncomfortable when you visit your audiologist. Offering to take or go with them to the audiologist allows their fears or anxiety to ease, helping them get the most out of the appointment. This is an effective method to reassure them that they are not in this alone and that they can depend on you. You can also get the opportunity to ask the audiologist for any concerns to help you better support them, so keep this in mind.

Learn Beneficial Communication Methods

With hearing aids, your loved one’s hearing will improve. However, there will continue to be instances when your loved one can’t hear or converse as effectively as they would want, even if they wear them. You can adapt your communications to ensure your loved one is a part of the conversation.

You could speak more softly, as louder speech frequently results in less understanding and more frustration. Consequently, you can communicate with your loved one more effectively by keeping eye contact, minimizing interruptions, keeping your lips open and using gestures to get their attention before speaking.

Explain Any Misconceptions or Mistakes

Take the time to explain what you’ve been talking about if you notice that they are not paying attention to the conversation. Since it can be very challenging for them to hear when many people speak at once, ensure they understand what you said by checking in with them. When you are about to change the subject, let them know in advance. Don’t talk over them to prevent them from feeling frustrated and alone.

Try to Remain Patient

Living with hearing loss can be challenging for everyone involved – if it remains untreated. Luckily, with the right methods of addressing this condition, you can communicate easier with those around you. To find out more about your loved one’s hearing loss, don’t hesitate to reach out to an audiologist to begin the testing process. They will be able to tell you if a loss is present, how much it has progressed and what the best treatment options are moving forward.