Hearing loss is a difficult experience to have, and there’s not always a way of avoiding it. It can come out of nowhere. It’s important that you understand how to react when it’s happening to someone that you know.
Understand that it can be difficult for them going forward. There may be certain troubles they might have, even if the hearing loss is only minor. In some cases, hearing loss can be hard to catch. You may notice that they’re experiencing it before they do. Which makes it your responsibility to talk about it with them.
Look at the person them when talking
If you feel like a loved one is having trouble hearing, then you should make sure that when you are talking to them, you’re looking at them. Being able to see your mouth while talking can help them piece everything together. This is very helpful when they do not clearly hear you speaking. This is especially important the more severe the hearing difficulty.
Communication, in general, can be tough. There are helpful resources on hearing loss communication strategies that you can access whenever you need them.
Be patient
It can feel frustrating when it feels like what you’re saying isn’t getting through. Keep in mind that this is something that is out of their control. They may feel even more frustrated than you do. Or even embarrassed. Now is the time to make sure you’re patient with them, and not going over the same thing over and over again.
Don’t talk for too long. A hearing loss can make long conversations quite exhausting. This is due to how hard concentrating on what’s being said can be.
Be part of the process
If you’ve noticed that your loved one is experiencing hearing loss before they do, then you should be considerate with how you approach it. It might take time for them to accept what’s happening, and it can be helpful if you suggest getting tested with them.
Most people don’t like going through these things alone, so it can be helpful for you to be in it with them – to encourage and support them.
Get them the help they need
It would also be helpful for you to be aware of what kind of support is available to them. There are specialists who can help with hearing health, like audiologists or ENTs, which you’ll need to go through if you want to seek treatment. They might not be aware of this, and if they’re not accepting that they need help, it’s up to you to make sure they can get the treatment they need.
It can be difficult when your family is experiencing hearing loss but ignoring it is going to take a toll on their mental health.
There are also support groups for those experiencing hearing loss, and it can be a great way to talk about what’s going on, get tips on how to improve the experience, and let your feelings out about how life has been since it had developed.
