Hearing Loss Support in TX & LA
How to Help Loved Ones Get Hearing Help
When it comes to your friends, family members, or even co-workers, it can be difficult to know how to navigate their hearing loss and provide the support they need. Hearing loss can significantly impact a person’s communication ability, leading to misunderstandings and frustration. When you better understand what they’re going through and how to approach it, you can have a productive conversation and get them the hearing health care they need.
At Estes Audiology, we’ve helped countless families and friends navigate the hearing loss their loved ones are experiencing. We’ll stand by your side throughout your journey towards better hearing and an improved quality of life. With hearing care centers located throughout Texas and Louisiana, we’re just around the corner with all the audiology services you need under one roof. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a one-on-one consultation with our hearing care professionals.
The Emotional Effects of Hearing Loss
Untreated hearing loss can cause a wide range of emotions, including low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, embarrassment, and even outbursts of anger. It takes more effort to listen when you have hearing loss, leading to increased fatigue and overall frustration. You might feel like your loved one’s personality is changing. Instead of blaming them for their frustration, trying to understand what they’re going through by putting yourself in their shoes is helpful. If it helps, you can occasionally remind them that treating hearing loss with hearing aids improves communication and relationships.
Taking the First Step Towards Better Hearing
Once your loved one has received the results of their hearing evaluation, their hearing care professional will guide them through the next steps of their treatment plan. Some helpful ways you can support them throughout their journey include the following:
- Become Involved in Their Appointments – This process can overwhelm your loved one. You can attend their appointments with them, listen to care instructions, and ask any questions that might help you provide your loved one with enough support. It’s also important to remind them about the adjustment period for hearing aids and support them while they get used to the new devices. This is also an excellent opportunity to celebrate their new and improved hearing with them.
- Don’t Get Frustrated – It can be frustrating when you can’t communicate properly with someone. If your loved one asks you to repeat yourself several times, refrain from getting upset or angry. Instead, ask them how you can help them better understand and provide them with context.
- Modify Your Environment – Making adjustments to a person’s environment can help with their hearing loss. You can help them by facing them when talking, sitting close to them, using good lighting, and writing things down when understanding you is a problem. Adding rugs, carpets, and curtains to a room can help reduce reverberation, allowing them to hear more clearly.
- Speak Slower, Not Louder – Raising your voice doesn’t accomplish much when trying to communicate with someone with hearing loss. Speaking slower is the best way to avoid misunderstandings between you and your loved one. Speak clearly and naturally so they don’t feel patronized. When repeating yourself doesn’t work, try rephrasing the sentence.
- Inform Them if They Misheard Something – If you see that they aren’t following a conversation, make sure you fill them in on the details they missed. When several different people are talking, it can be challenging for those with hearing loss to follow the conversation. Checking in with them to ensure they understand what you said can be helpful and prevent them from feeling isolated.
- Get Their Attention Before Speaking – It can help to say your loved one’s name before speaking to them or tapping them on the shoulder to gain their attention. Face-to-face conversations are ideal for those with hearing loss.
- Reduce Background Noise – You can do several things around the house to reduce any background noise that decreases their ability to hear you speaking clearly. Turning the television off or waiting for the kettle to finish boiling before attempting to have a conversation can prevent frustration on both sides.
Get the Hearing Loss Support You Deserve
When you’re trying to give your loved ones the support they deserve during such a frustrating time in their life, you can rest assured the team at Estes Audiology will stand by your side throughout your journey. We’ll be there to help you schedule their hearing evaluations, get them fitting for hearing aids, and stay on top of their hearing health. There are many things you can do to support them and their hearing loss, from attending appointments with them to making sure they’re cleaning their hearing aids properly.
Our hearing care professionals have years of experience providing comprehensive audiology services throughout Texas and Louisiana. We’re passionate about helping our patients hear the world around them more clearly. Contact us today to learn more about supporting loved ones with hearing loss, or schedule an appointment online to schedule a hearing evaluation.
