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Loved One’s With Hearing Loss…

If you or a loved one has a hearing loss, you will know how sometimes this can cause a strain on relationships. It can cause stress, hurt feelings, and frustration over miscommunication. If one of your loved ones has a hearing loss but refuses to seek help, this can often be frustrating because all you want is for them to have a better quality of life. However, it is important to remain patient and have empathy for their situation, as it can be a very daunting experience.

 

Talking To Someone With Hearing Loss…

The first thing to note when thinking about how to communicate effectively with someone with hearing loss is: louder is NOT better! When someone can’t hear you, your initial reaction may be to speak louder or even shout. But this can actually distort what the person is hearing. For some people with hearing loss, loud sounds may actually be uncomfortable or even painful. Another key tip is that sometimes thye might need something rephrasing, rather than repeating. This is because certain syllables or sounds are more difficult to hear than others.

  • Get their attention before starting a conversation
  • Speak to them face to face to allow them the chance to lipread
  • Speak slowly and clearly
  • If they haven’t understood, try rephrasing rather than just repeating yourself
  • Be patient and keep trying if they struggle to hear you
  • Try writing notes
  • Don’t shout or clap to get their attention
  • Don’t speak from a different room or with your head turned away
  • Try not to speak quickly
  • Don’t repeat what you’ve already said but louder
  • Don’t give up or get frustrated

 

Compensating For A Loved One’s Hearing Loss…

If your loved one has a hearing loss, you may find yourself constantly having to ‘translate’ what other people are saying. Although you think you are helping, compensating for their hearing loss can be harmful for both of you. If this starts to happen frequently, the family member or loved one with hearing loss may start to become dependent on you to be their “ears”. This can lead to the loved one wanting to avoid social situations where they cannot depend on you, and can ultimately result in the pair of you becoming reclusive. A lack of social interaction can increase the risks of cognitive decline for both of you, but especially for the one with hearing loss.

Another way compensating for your loved one’s hearing loss can be detrimental is that you can start to develop feelings of resentment. Those who want their loved one’s to seek treatment may begin to feel frustrated, impatient, and stressed if they refuse and continue to rely on them. Additionally, the person with the hearing loss may start to feel resentment as well if family members put too much pressure on them to enlist professional help.

 

Solution…

Besides educating yourself on how best to support a loved one with hearing loss, the first step is always to get your hearing tested. This is the best way to identify any hearing loss as early as possible. Once you are aware of your hearing thresholds, you can look into what can be done to help.

The next step in most cases of hearing loss is to start thinking about hearing aids. This can be difficult, especially if your loved one is in denial about their hearing loss. It is useful to point out that hearing aids not only help their hearing, but their overall general health including slowing down dementia.

 

If you are worried about yourself or a loved one’s hearing, try not to delay any further. To book a hearing test, call us on 01223 360700 or click here.