Friends & Family

Encourage Acceptance
— Defuse denial

You suspect that your loved is suffering from hearing loss. It takes most people some time to accept and come to terms with the fact they have hearing difficulties. It's human nature to try to ignore problems, especially those that "creep up" on us gradually, as hearing loss often does. In fact, you, their friends and family often recognize that someone is having hearing problems long before the hearing impaired person does.
 

Know the serious consequences and hidden costs of hearing loss

  • Avoid or withdraw from certain social situations previously enjoyed
  • Easily fatigued
  • Show signs of tension, stress
  • Show signs of depression, social rejection and loneliness
  • Feel nervous or uncomfortable
  • Feel annoyed at someone because they cannot hear or understand
  • Impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks
  • Reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety

Signs of hearing loss

  • Complain that others mumble or speak too quickly
  • Can hear but they cannot follow the conversation if more than 2 people talking in the room
  • Asking for others to repeat themselves
  • Don’t hear the doorbell or knocking or other important sounds in the house
  • TV volume is louder than what is comfortable for others in the room
  • Seem not to follow the conversation or misunderstand what has been said
  • Have a history of longterm noise exposure
  • Have diabetes, heart, circulation or thyroid problems
  • Rely on seeing a person’s face to understand what is being said

Tips to help someone take action sooner

  • Take our online quiz together
  • Offer to bring the family member in for a hearing test
  • If they don't want to come in for a hearing test — book one for yourself as well
  • Bring the family member in for a hearing evaluation — book one for yourself as well.

Know that the audiologist can work with the client to find the best hearing aid that meets both their priority hearing needs and budget.