If someone in your family has hearing loss, you may find it frustrating. You may have to repeat yourself several times before they hear you. Sometimes, you may also get an answer that has nothing to do with your question. Although this can be annoying, it is wise to empathise with the person who is struggling. In this blog, we explore how you can help a loved one with hearing loss.
How Hearing Loss Affects Your Loved One
Patients with hearing loss often become very withdrawn from conversations and lose their confidence. They feel that they cannot contribute as much, especially at social gatherings. As they get older, many withdraw from social situations, which is one of the worst things they can do.
Reduced social interaction often leads to greater cognitive fatigue and decline. This is because complex conversations no longer challenge the brain regularly. When someone avoids social settings, they miss out on the mental stimulation of following several conversations. Over time, this can gradually reduce cognitive function.
Recognising the Signs of Hearing Loss in a Loved One
Some of the telltale signs that someone is struggling with their hearing include:
- One of the earliest signs is a noticeable increase in the volume of the television.
- They may frequently ask you to repeat what you have said.
- If you are not facing them, they may struggle to hear you, so you have to raise your voice.
- Background noise makes things much worse, so group conversations are far harder to follow than one-to-one chats.
- You may also need to speak louder than usual for them to fully understand you.
Communication Tips for a Loved One With Hearing Loss
When an older loved one has hearing loss, it is very important to face them. That way, they can use all the visual cues available. For example, lip reading is a crucial cue that helps people with hearing loss understand what you are saying.
People with normal hearing use these signals without even thinking about it. However, as hearing starts to deteriorate, people lean more and more on lip reading to communicate. Therefore, always face the person you are talking to. It is also worth suggesting a visit to a nearby audiology clinic offering hearing tests.
Talking clearly and slowly, without mumbling, helps too. This matters because people with hearing loss rely heavily on visual cues such as lip reading.
Environmental Adjustments
Background noise and seating position are also important. For instance, seating the person with a wall behind them can significantly reduce how much background noise they notice. Most older patients generally hear background noise far better than speech. So, in a busy café or restaurant, background noise often overpowers speech. As a result, they find it difficult to process conversations.
Many restaurants and cafés also have lots of reflective surfaces, which make listening much harder for people with hearing loss. Sounds bounce off hard surfaces and can create echoes. Especially at home, soft furnishings and curtains can help absorb some sound and reduce these issues.
In addition, reducing ambient noise will significantly improve general conversations. For example, you could close the windows or take other steps to block road traffic noise.
Encouraging Use of Hearing Aids
If your loved one really struggles in everyday situations, you could also encourage them to use hearing aids. We often find that the longer patients go without hearing aids or other help, the less effective hearing aids become. Cognitive decline also becomes more of an issue with age. Therefore, early intervention is usually the best way for patients to make the most of the hearing they have left.
At first, this might simply mean an assistive listening device. For example, this could be a TV loop, a TV amplifier or even a soundbar. These help amplify the television, so the overall volume can be lower. Additionally, it is important to address any misconceptions and concerns about hearing aids. For instance, someone may have told them that hearing aids are not good at cutting background noise.
Trial and Support Options
Most independent hearing aid providers offer a free trial with no obligation; ours lasts 14 days. For example, patients can try our range of hearing aids at our Sutton Coldfield clinic. During the trial, they can test them in a wide variety of listening environments. Afterwards, they can decide whether the hearing aids add value to their lives.
You should also emphasise another benefit of hearing aids: the renewed ability to connect socially. Being part of social groups, joining conversations and feeling confident in social settings can make a world of difference.
We often see people rejoin gatherings with friends and take a more active part. They no longer worry about keeping up with the conversation. This alone can be a powerful motivator to seek help. It is also important to create a hearing-friendly environment to support better communication every day.
Assistive Listening Devices
Another crucial aspect is the use of assistive listening devices. For instance, telephones with built-in amplifiers can make a significant difference for a loved one with hearing loss.
Many hearing aids and modern hearing technologies also support this. They stream television and phone calls directly into the hearing aids at the correct level for each person’s prescription. As a result, problems that once made hearing aids frustrating, such as hearing phone calls, are no longer an issue. This is especially important for people who live alone, because phone calls are often a vital connection to others. It is well worth keeping in mind.
Conclusion: Supporting a Loved One With Hearing Loss
Supporting a loved one with hearing loss takes patience, empathy and a proactive approach. First of all, learn to recognise the signs early. In addition, encourage them to use the best hearing aids for their needs. Finally, make small but meaningful changes to how you communicate and to their surroundings. Together, these steps can greatly improve their quality of life. With the right support, they can regain confidence, reconnect socially and enjoy richer interactions every day.