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How to Talk to Someone about their Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is an issue that most often manifests itself slowly, making it harder to initially observe.

 

It is quite common for family and friends to notice an onset of hearing loss before those suffering realize themselves. This can lead to the likely uncomfortable position of trying to convince the person they care about to seek out help.

 

There is no step-by-step guide on how to talk to someone about hearing loss. Each case will be unique and require different tactics. But there are some general guidelines that can help you determine the best way to approach the topic.

 

Research hearing loss in advance

If you are going to approach someone about their hearing loss, you want to make sure you have all the necessary information ready to go. There are innumerable resources available online that can help you gain a strong foothold on the topic of hearing loss. When it’s time to talk, you’ll be more than ready to answer the initial questions they’ll have on the topic.

 

To help you get started, here are some top resources on our hearing care blog:

 

·        Invisible impacts of hearing challenges

·        Types of hearing loss (and what it means for your hearing care)

·        What happens during a hearing test

 

It’s also a good idea to have information on a few local hearing care providers so they can easily act if they decide they want to seek out help.

 

Of course, we are biased on the subject, but Professional Audiology is always ready and willing to help. Here’s more information about why to choose Professional Audiology in Edmonton.

 

Help debunk hearing aid misconceptions

This is a big one, as many people avoid receiving hearing care because of outdated impressions of what that care might look like. Hearing aid technology has come a long way, especially in the last decade.

 

Some major improvements to hearing aids include:

 

Smaller in-ear hearing aids

Hearing aids are longer are hearing aids large, bulky and cumbersome. A fear of being judged in public and thought of as being very old due to wearing large visible hearing aids is a concern no more, as many modern hearing aids are quite difficult to notice.

 

Rechargeable battery technology

You used to have to carry around small (and easily losable) cell batteries to charge your hearing aids. The whole process of powering them could be an awkward affair. No more, as most modern hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries, allowing you to charge them just as you would your cellphone.

 

Wireless technology and smartphone integration

Hearing aids have advanced right alongside modern technology, allowing them to be easily adjustable and endlessly adaptable. You can now control your hearing aid settings directly from an app on your smartphone, and you can even use them as Bluetooth headphones for music, podcasts or taking phone calls directly.

 

Share what you’ve noticed about their hearing loss

As hearing loss often emerges slowly, it can be very common for those suffering not to notice right away. They grow accustomed to the changes over time without even knowing it.

 

What they aren’t aware of is their brains are having to work even harder to decipher the degraded inputs they receive. Unfortunately, this is tied with a greatly increased risk of dementia for people suffering from hearing loss.

 

If you don’t share with the person you care about what you’ve noticed about their degrading ability to hear, they might continue to go on unaware of the damage. This affects not just them but also those around them.

 

Share how their hearing loss affects those around them

A loss of hearing ability won’t just affect those suffering. It can absolutely have an impact on everyone in their orbit. It is also quite possible that you may be enabling them to delay seeking help through your actions towards them.

 

If you are repeating yourself, raising your voice, or generally changing the way you communicate with them because of their hearing loss, you might just be helping to delay them searching out help.

 

Of course, this is a tight needle to thread. You don’t want to ostracize the person by avoiding communication, but it is certainly important to let them know how their hearing loss is affecting you and those around them.

 

Offer to join them for their first appointment

Not too many people want to face a difficult task alone if they don’t have to. You can be a powerful ally for someone by offering to join them for their appointments, showing them that they’re not alone in this process.

 

At Professional Audiology, we always welcome friends or family to join – especially for the first consultations or hearing tests.

 

Always approach with empathy

Coming to terms with one’s own loss of abilities can certainly be a difficult process. And this process will be different for each person. A stern and authoritarian approach will almost certainly push away the person you are trying to help.

 

Choosing an appropriate time to talk to someone about their hearing loss can go a long way. Listening thoughtfully to their concerns and showing a desire to earnestly help can make the difference in whether someone will seek out help or continue to suffer.

 

Make sure to put their needs ahead of yours, and approach them with kindness and care. You will likely be able to help them on their path to better hearing health.

 

We understand

At Professional Audiology, we really do understand the complexities of hearing loss. We know how it impacts not just those with hearing loss, but also their family and friends as well.

 

There is no one answer on how to convince someone to seek out care for their hearing loss, but we are always happy to help. Feel free to send us any questions you may have.

 

If you or someone you know is suffering from hearing loss, you can book an appointment with Professional Audiology. Even if you don’t have hearing loss, you are more than welcome to join.

How often should I get my hearing tested?

18 Apr, 2023
It’s routine for people to schedule medical checkups, like an annual physical, vision test or dental exam. But regular hearing tests are much less commonplace. Despite the integral role hearing plays in our daily lives, we just don’t tend to pay it as much mind. Your hearing is far from static, which is why we urge everyone—both young and old, known hearing loss or not—to get a hearing test and ensure you’re properly caring for all your senses. What happens during a hearing test? Hearing evaluations may be in-depth, but they are nothing to be nervous about. We won’t be poking and prodding you. Professional Audiology goes beyond the basic tests to better ensure our clients receive the thorough care they deserve. Here’s an in-depth overview of what happens during a hearing test. Hearing Screening A quick pass/fail test of your ability to hear different tones in each ear. It will indicate if you have hearing loss but will not go into any detail about the type or levels of degradation. If you fail a hearing screening, you should definitely get a full hearing test. Hearing Test Sometimes referred to as a hearing evaluation, these tests go in-depth into analyzing and diagnosing your hearing ability, your understanding of speech and assessing your outer, middle and inner ears. Components of a full hearing evaluation Your hearing is a two-part process, involving the physical action of hearing as well as the processing of the sound information once received by your brain. It’s crucially important to test based on both these factors to ensure you receive the proper care. There are a number of different tests that will be performed during your hearing evaluation. These include: Air conduction Otoscopy Bone conduction Tympanometry Word recognition Loudness discomfort levels None of these tests are invasive, and when combined, they offer our clients the fullest possible picture of their current hearing, and help highlight the best path to better hearing health. When should I get my hearing tested? There are many good reasons to receive a hearing test, and far fewer reasons not to. If you or someone you know has hearing loss, regular hearing tests are crucial to tell whether your loss is changing or degrading. If you’ve been receiving treatment for hearing loss, hearing tests will be able to gauge if that treatment has been successful in providing help and hopefully stemming the tide of further damage. If you work in a loud environment or frequent loud spaces like concerts, then regular hearing tests can be very helpful in guarding against further damage. Occupational hearing loss is unfortunately very common. If you ever notice a pervasive ringing in your ears, it is definitely in your best interest to receive a hearing test. Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, and while it can’t be treated the same way, a hearing test can certainly help you better understand your condition. If you’ve never received a hearing test before, it can be very helpful for future visits to have a baseline to compare to, so in the future it will be easier to determine if any loss has occurred. If for any reason, you or a loved one is questioning whether they may be suffering from hearing loss, then a comprehensive hearing evaluation can either quell those concerns or help lead you to the next step in determining how to tackle and prevent any further hearing loss. 

How hearing loops help when you’re out and about

18 Apr, 2023
There are plenty of situations in your day-to-day life that require a level of active listening. For anyone with hearing challenges, this can create a barrier that makes going about your regular business quite difficult. One solution for dealing with this is hearing loops, a very helpful technology that can make a huge difference for folks who are hard of hearing. What are hearing loops? A hearing loop is a unique sound system that is used to transmit sound directly to a user’s hearing aid or cochlear implant. Made up of a physical loop of cable that is placed around a designated area, a hearing loop transmits sound by generating a magnetic field in the area which delivers a signal to properly equipped hearing aids. When hooked up to a microphone, a hearing loop carries a speaker's voice wirelessly to listeners hearing aids and is best implemented in environments like church halls, theatre rooms and public spaces like banks, information centers and similar public-oriented service providers. How do hearing loops work with hearing aids? For a hearing aid to pick up the transmitted sound from a hearing loop, it has to be equipped with a called a telecoil. Also referred to as a T-coil, this technology is made up of a small coil of wire wrapped around a rod that acts as an antenna to pick up the sound being delivered by a hearing loop. All cochlear implants have telecoils equipped, and nearly 80% of hearing aids either have a telecoil included or are capable of using one. It’s important to ask that a telecoil be included with your new hearing aids, as it is such a helpful tool to be used when you’re out and about. How do I use a hearing loop? This is arguably the best part of hearing loop systems, as cochlear implants and T-coil-equipped hearing aids automatically pick up the signal, meaning you don’t have to do anything to enjoy the benefits of crystal-clear communication. Say you walk into a bank with a hearing loop system. Rather than having to struggle to hear what the teller is saying behind their glass partition, you’ll be able to hear their voice clearly and succinctly without so much as pushing a button. Even better is going to a packed local play and not having to strain to hear the actors, as their voices are being transmitted directly into your ears. Hearing loops provide a level of access that hearing aids alone can’t even offer. More and more locations around the world are adding hearing loops to their services, providing those who are hard of hearing the chance to go about their days with an increased level of normality. Where can I find hearing loops in Edmonton? There are multiple locations around Edmonton that provide the added hearing assistance of a hearing loop. The popular Citadel Theatre in downtown Edmonton has hearing loops installed in two of its performance areas, allowing everyone to enjoy their shows the way they were meant to be. Most of the HSBC banks in the city are equipped with hearing loops, and all of Edmonton’s public libraries offer hearing loops at their front counters. You can go to Hearing Loops Canada For a more detailed list of hearing loop locations as well as plenty of other useful hearing loop resources. If you’re interested in the benefits of hearing loops, your first step should be to book a hearing test . Professional Audiology can help you find the right devices that will not only take advantage of the benefits of hearing loops but also greatly help improve your ability to hear. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.

Tips for hearing better when dining out

18 Apr, 2023
There’s no question that dining out can be a stressful experience for anyone suffering from hearing loss. With diners chatting away, cutlery clanging and music playing at an uncomfortably loud level, even folks with healthy hearing may have a hard time communicating with their table mates. These debilitating decibels can make it an easy choice to stay in and miss out on socializing, which can quickly take a toll on your overall mental well-being. Here are some straightforward tips and tricks that can help those who are hard of hearing have an enjoyable experience when heading out for a bite. Take the Time to Plan Ahead If you are the one planning the restaurant outing, then all the power is in your hands. Make sure to use it! When these tips are combined, they’re sure to increase the enjoyment level of your culinary excursion. Research quiet restaurants People love to make lists and categorize essentially everything online. If you live in an urban area, there’s a very good chance that someone has taken the time to discern which restaurants won’t blow out your eardrums. Choose your seating carefully If you’re planning early, you should be able to pick your seat. Sitting right in the middle of a crowded dining area, with noisy neighbours in all directions, is sure to cause you some distress. Specifically, ask for a high-backed booth or a corner seat where you’ll have a wall to your back. This is sure to cut out a lot of the clamour. Timing is everything As you are the master and commander of your outing, you have a lot more sway in picking the time for everyone to gather and chow down. While brunch is certainly trendy, it won’t be hearing-friendly. Neither will the middle of the dinner rush be. Pick a time after the lunch rush, before the dinner rush, or even have a slightly later dinner. That way, after you’ve devoured your food, the restaurant will be nice and quiet, allowing you and your guests plenty of time to comfortably sip your wine and chat the night away. When Not in Charge of Planning, Advocate for Yourself This can admittedly be quite a tricky one. Nobody wants to inconvenience their friends or loved ones with a perceived huge ask for accommodation. It’s uncomfortable, and odds are your brain will tell you you’re asking too much and being a real pain. We’re here to tell you, you’re not asking too much. Your hearing issue is a real physical and measurable issue. Your mates will more than likely be happy to help you have an enjoyable dining experience. If not, then we’re sorry your friends suck. Bottom line: as hard as it can be, advocating for yourself is more than acceptable. Take Advantage of Tech to Improve Your Dining Experience Thank goodness for the ever-evolving world of technology, as there are products, devices and apps out there that can help you get the most out of your social forays. One such option is the ability to live transcribe the conversations at your table using your smartphone. There are multiple free apps, including a Google Android app that allow you to actively read what is being said by those dining with you. While the technology isn’t perfect, and you may get some comedically hilarious translation hiccups, context will probably help you through those bugs. Hearing aids are life changers for those who are hard of hearing Of course, the tried-and-true method to help you hear your surroundings with clarity and accuracy is hearing aids. Gone are the bulky and awkward hearing aids that stick out like a sore thumb. In are the sleek and discreet hearing aids with advanced technology like directional microphones that will help you focus the conversation. Hearing aids really can make a hugely beneficial impact on your life. You don’t have to continue suffering on your own, struggling from one conversation to another. While not a 100% cure to all your hearing issues, they are by far the best and most effective option to get you back out socializing and enjoying your life the way you used to. You can start your road to hearing recovery by booking a hearing test with Professional Audiology. Our trained and knowledgeable audiologists will help you find the hearing aid solution that works best for your specific needs. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.
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