Knowing_someone_with_hearing-loss_1920x700

Loved ones with hearing loss

Hearing loss affects more than the person with the loss. Treating hearing loss can restore and strengthen connections to spouses, family members and friends. If you know someone with hearing loss, there is much you can do to help them.

You may have seen the symptoms of hearing loss in their social behaviour. Withdrawing from social activities, feeling shame, expressing anger or frustration, criticizing self, and even depression can all be part of losing one’s hearing. These types of negative outcomes from hearing loss will affect family and friends.

It takes courage and patience. Most often the loss is too gradual to be noticeable to the person. And a good portion of those who do recognize their hearing loss are in denial. We all need gentle guidance to accept the reality of a hearing loss.

The process of helping a love one accept they have a hearing loss and seek treatment can be long and tiring. After repeating yourself, explaining, and amplifying your voice all day, you can become exhausted and worn out. You have become the person’s ears.

If you are filling that role for someone, you can take action now to help improve the situation. You can schedule a free hearing test, which will be the first step to helping both you and your loved one.

Book a FREE hearing test

knowing-someone-with-hearing-loss-steps

A day at a time;
a step at a time

Here are some simple steps that can make a significant difference as you seek to help your loved ones:

  1. Remain empathetic, calm, supportive, and understanding – You will need to be the voice of reason. Hearing loss and its effects can make us frantic. Channel your emotions into empathy for your loved one.
  2. Learn more – The more you know about hearing loss and its treatments, the more you can help your loved one. Search our website. Read more about hearing loss.
  3. Teach what you know – Share what you learned about hearing loss and its treatments with your loved one. Be candid about the consequences of untreated hearing loss and how it affects your life. Share details about how hearing loss can be treated – about how they (and you) can avoid the negative consequences of hearing loss.
  4. Invite action – Encourage and invite your loved one to have a non-committal hearing test. It’s free and the perfect way to confirm a loss or not. Let our hearing care professional give your loved one a definitive answer.

Does your loved one have a hearing loss?

We stand ready with the highest quality hearing care professionals to give world class service to you and your loved one.

Book a FREE hearing test

Or call us: 1-855-790-5090

knowing-someone-with-hearing-tennis-friends

Strength in numbers – family and friends can help!

It's important to recognize the emotional and physical drain of helping a loved one with hearing loss. No one person in the family should bear it alone. Asking others to help not only strengthens you, but also gives momentum for the cause! Let others express their feelings on the impact of hearing loss on you and on their own lives.

7 habits of great communication

If the communication seems all but dead, don’t give up! It can get easier for you and your loved one. These suggestions can help both before when you are working to help your loved one seek treatment and after they have been fitted for a pair of hearing aids.

  • Get their attention – Make sure you have their attention before speaking. If they are focused on you, their understanding will go up.

  • Clearly please – Enunciate clearly, but keep the pace natural. There’s no need to shout.

  • Face-to-face – Move in closer to the person. Make sure your face can been seen clearly (in good light) so your expressions are easy to read.

  • No clutter – Gum and cigarettes can make it difficult to read mouths. Keep your mouth free and clear and clearly seen.

  • Reduce the noise – Background noise from the TV or music increases the chances of being misunderstood. Find quieter places to talk.

  • Don’t interrupt – In group settings, allow each person to speak without talking over each other.

  • Rephrase – Repeating misheard phrases can increase frustration for both parties. Try rephrasing.

Find your local hearing aid centre in Canada

Find Your Nearest
Hearing Centre

With over 200 clinics across Canada, we’re
in your neighbourhood and ready to help!

Find a hearing centre