How can I help?

You may recognize the situation - during a family conversation a loved one smiles and nods, pretending to understand what is being said, but doesn't really have a clue because of a hearing loss. Then, when a professional consultation is recommended, this advice is often rebuffed with a remark such as, “I don't really have hearing trouble; it's just that nobody speaks as clearly as they used to”.

Even if you aren’t entirely sure that someone close to you is suffering from hearing loss, it is well worth finding out for sure. So how do you persuade someone with a hearing loss to make an appointment with an audiologist or dispenser? Particularly if they refuse to admit experiencing problems?

Often, the problem is one of embarrassment

First, it is important to understand why people are generally reluctant to seek help. Often, the problem is one of embarrassment – for some, hearing difficulties are a sign of approaching old age, or (particularly in the case of male sufferers) they may be afraid to show signs of “weakness”. At the same time, they may already have given up attempting to participate fully in conversations and have found a form of safety in partial withdrawal from their surroundings. In this case, agreeing to tackle the problem may be seen as far too challenging. Older people, in particular, are often reluctant to make what many consider being a major investment at such a late stage in life.

As you can see, getting people to visit a hearing care professional can be very difficult. Why not offer to make an appointment with a dispenser or audiologist and even go along to the meeting with them. Or you can alert your family physician to the problem and have them discuss it with the person at the next appointment. You can also try having someone else who wears a hearing instrument bring up the subject and talk about their experiences with hearing loss and their instruments.

Depending on the situation – and the person concerned – some have even found it useful to gather information on the symptoms of hearing loss and leave them lying around on a table or somewhere where they can be noticed.

Call a hearing care professional

If you have tried these methods and are still having difficulties, call a hearing care professional in your area and discuss the problem with them. You will most likely find that they have faced your situation many times in the past and can offer a great deal of helpful advice.

Further information

GN ReSound has published 8 brochures that covers almost every aspect of hearing loss, hearing instruments and hearing care. You might find additional usefull information in these brochures. Click here to go to the brochures.