How Can I Persuade A Loved One To Get Help With Their Hearing?

Hearing loss is so gradual that it can be difficult for our loved ones to acknowledge that they might have a hearing loss, which, honestly, can be frustrating. Or they are very aware of their hearing loss but think that by denying it, they are helping the situation.

So, how do you help a loved one hear again?

Over the last 25 years at Inland Hearing Aids, we have helped thousands of people treat their hearing in the Moses Lake, Omak, and Ellensburg communities. We have seen what persuades and what hinders them from seeking help.

Thanks to all this experience, we’ve been able put together some helpful tips on how to encourage your children, grandchildren, co-workers, grandparents, or spouse to get help with their hearing.

Our main tips are about compassion, education, supportiveness, and practical help.

1.   Compassion

Listening always goes a long way in building and maintaining healthy relationships. Knowing that you hear and recognize how they feel, and that you understand their fears, will encourage them to stay open and honest about what they are experiencing.

They might be afraid of what others might think of them if they know about their hearing loss, or they don’t want a clunky hearing aid on their ear, or they are nervous about how much hearing treatment might cost.

These are all fears you can understand and be compassionate about.

2.   Education

Facts are often far more persuasive than emotional discussions.

The more you learn about hearing loss, its causes and effects, and its treatment options, the more you are in a position to help your loved ones. Many of the fears a person has about the treatment of a hearing loss are not true anymore.

So much has changed in the world of hearing devices, especially technology. You can learn the facts about what to expect at a hearing assessment, what might be the cause of a hearing loss, and the different types of treatment possible.

You can then share your knowledge to counter their fears next time the subject comes up, highlighting the cost savings, the prevention of future damage to their auditory system, and the modern, discrete design and abilities of today’s hearing aids.

If they are afraid of the cost, and they are willing, you can also see if their insurance provider covers hearing care in their package, or we can look it up for you.

All of this new information presented to them in manageable bites can encourage them to seek help.

3.   Supportiveness

The emotional effects of having a hearing loss can be extensive, and they can cause a person to isolate themselves and feel their value, independence, and capability disappear. A hearing loss can lead to depression and anxiety.

Nagging someone to get help for their hearing loss can make this far worse and even cause them to fiercely resist any suggestion of weakness in their mind, aka a hearing loss.

Instead of pointing out the obvious, highlight the possibilities. Lay out the benefits of getting a hearing assessment, of knowing what’s going on again, of being able to join in on every conversation, of feeling independent once more.

Talk about how great it will be to enjoy life fully again together.

4.   Practical Help

Be an advocate for your loved one.

They might be afraid of seeing a hearing professional for the first time, so offering to go with them could help. You could even offer to have a hearing assessment done yourself.

If you are a patient of the same physician, call them to ask them to include a basic hearing check on your loved one’s next checkup, and ask the physician to refer your loved one for a hearing test. A medical professional’s opinion can carry more weight.

Ask any friend or family member with hearing aids to talk about how much they appreciate their hearing aids to help eliminate fears about wearing them.

We Are Here to Help

I want your loved one’s first hearing assessment to be a great experience. Contact us to book a hearing assessment with one of our hearing care specialists.

A hearing test won’t fix their hearing, but it will identify the severity and type of hearing loss, and we can begin the process of restoring much, if not all, of their hearing so they can get back to the self-sufficient lifestyle they’ve been missing.

We look forward to partnering with your loved one to restore their independent lifestyle.

If you have concerns about your or your family’s hearing, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re happy to help.