How can I help a loved one achieve better hearing?

Helping a loved one to hear better first comes from understanding - you must have a clear understanding of what it means to have hearing loss, how it may affect relationships, as well as the way people feel, behave and communicate.

We can all take our hearing for granted. We may miss a few words because we are not paying attention or we are in a noisy environment, but generally we should be able to move around in different environments, talking one-to-one, in groups, over the telephone, listening to the television or radio without giving a second thought about it.

Living with untreated hearing loss is difficult as these simple undertakings become very frustrating and challenging. It may not seem to be the case that sounds are not always loud enough, but instead that sounds are not clear enough.

Left untreated, hearing loss has the potential to hinder or damage relationships between families and friends. This can have a profound impact upon one’s quality of life. This is why it is important for you to motivate your loved one to get their hearing tested, take the necessary action, and learn how you can help with any communication difficulties.

What is the nature of hearing loss?

Hearing loss is usually slow and progressive, and may go unnoticed for a long time. Softer high-pitched consonants (e.g “s” and “f”) become harder to hear than stronger and deeper vowel sounds. This can cause gaps in communication.

For a time, these gaps may be easy to fill in, making it appear as if a person is hearing everything that is being said. Some telltales of hearing loss may show up when in a noisy environment, where one cannot use lip reading such as when the person talking is standing far away, or when the topic of conversation is changing rapidly. During these scenarios, the gaps can become so wide that they as impossible to fill.

This is when you may start to hear phrases such as “sorry, could you say that again”. This can become quite frustrating on the long run for the individual and their family and friends. You may notice behavior such as a loved one quietly withdrawing at family or friends gatherings.

What are some signs that I can look out for?

Here are some signs that could indicate hearing loss:-

• Complaints that everyone seems to be mumbling

• Straining to hear someone talk

• Difficulty hearing when someone calls from behind or another room

• Lip-reading to follow a conversation

• Difficulty following a conversation in a meeting, restaurant, lecture, or other noisy or echoey environments

• Sound levels on TV or radio at an abnormally high level

• Difficulty talking on the phone

• Missing a lot of dialogue when at a musical, or when watching a movie

• Being quieter than normal when socialising, and trouble communicating

• Asking to repeat things constantly

Will hearing aids allow for my loved one to communicate effectively? And if not what are some techniques I can use?

It is important to be aware that hearing aids alone may not enable the person with hearing loss to communicate effectively in all listening situations. However there are some techniques that family members and friends can do to make listening and communication easier for their loved one. These include:

• Gain the person’s attention before speaking, so you both have the opportunity to look at you and focus on what you are saying

• Speak clearly and at a relaxed pace. Remember not to talk loudly or shout!

• Move closer and sit or stand where your face is well lit to make your facial expressions and lips easy to read

• Try not to talk while you are chewing

• Never cover your mouth or cover your face while talking. For example do not hide behind a newspaper

• Avoid talking from another room

• Do not lean on your cheek or chin while talking

• If your loved one has difficulty understanding you, try rephrasing the sentence rather than just repeating yourself

• In group situations, try not to interrupt each other, and give the person time to listen and respond

• Avoid noisy doorways and windows; if you can not, close them, or find somewhere quieter to talk

• Reduce background noise (e.g turn down the Television or radio)

• If you are planning to go out to the cinema or theatre for example, call in advance to check whether they provide assistive listening devices (such as headphones or other instruments)

• When going out to a restaurant try and sit in an area that is quietest

• In meetings or at seminars, arrive early and sit at the front. Ask the presenters to use a microphone where possible

What steps should you take now?

Gathering information is the best place to start. Our website has information about how the ear works, what sound is as well as what is hearing loss, and the different types. There is also information on the hearing solutions available to you through Shire Hearing.

You should encourage your loved one to make an appointment for a hearing test in order to identify their hearing needs. It is important to take note that the earlier that you get a clear diagnosis, the more successful the outcome is likely to be.

Will hearing loss seriously impact my life?

Hearing is one of the ways we communicate with others and can have a pronounced impact on your life and the people around you.

Hearing loss can be associated with feelings of embarrassment, worry, sadness and loneliness. You may also start to feel drowsy, irritable and have trouble concentrating. If left untreated it can lead to feelings of isolation, damage close relationships and even lead to depression.