Your hearing loss can affect your relationships. That’s why it’s important to educate your family and friends, so they can communicate effectively. When you work with your loved ones, you build a network of people who understand your struggles and can provide emotional support. That means more opportunities to interact, socialize and enjoy the little moments.
Why It’s Important to Talk About Hearing Loss
Managing stress: Being honest can take some of the pressure off your shoulders that can accompany navigating hearing loss. Your loved ones may be able to offer solutions you hadn’t considered when you clue them into your struggles.
Reduced stigma: There are plenty of misconceptions about hearing loss that have shaped the public’s opinions about who is affected by it and how to cope. Educating your family and friends by providing them with resources and detailing your experiences gives them a better understanding of what it’s like to have hearing loss.
Increased support: Sharing your thoughts and feelings allows your loved ones to empathize with you. That can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness that could harm your cognitive health.
Setting expectations: It’s important to talk about what to expect as you begin your journey toward better hearing. Doing so clarifies the process, so family and friends understand that it’s not a simple step from Point A to Point B.
Explaining How Hearing Devices Work
Hearing aids and assistive listening devices are complex pieces of technology that continue to improve and change. Those who don’t use them may have trouble comprehending their capabilities, which is why it’s important to discuss them. Your family and friends must understand that hearing aids aren’t like glasses, as they don’t provide an instant fix and can’t undo hearing damage.
Here are some points to use when explaining how they work:
- Ears collect sounds, but your brain does the “hearing.”
- Hearing aids clarify audio and make it louder, so your brain doesn’t have to work as hard.
- Each hearing aid has a microchip that processes and sends sounds into your ear through a speaker.
- Assistive devices are tools that can be used with or without hearing aids to enhance sounds in noisy places.
Teaching Effective Communication Strategies
Hearing and listening are essential for effective communication. Misunderstanding and asking others to repeat themselves could cause frustration and strain relationships, but there are easy steps to prevent those issues.
These best practices can improve personal exchanges:
- Get someone’s attention before speaking with them.
- Face the person while you’re talking.
- Move to a quieter setting if there’s background noise.
- Avoid shouting to prevent speech distortion.
- Use facial expressions and gestures for context clues.
Involving Loved Ones in Audiology Appointments
Bringing loved ones to your audiology appointment gives them the opportunity to learn about hearing loss from the experts. They see what takes place during your treatment and discover how you and your audiologist work together to improve your hearing health. Family and friends can ask questions and provide additional insight into your condition, which helps your doctor make appropriate recommendations. You can also bring a partner to aural rehabilitation sessions, where they can learn how to be a supportive listener and communicator.
Strengthening Relationships Through Empathy and Support
Knowledge contributes to understanding, which can lead to stronger emotional bonds and more compassion. Those factors can improve your relationship with your loved ones as you adjust to living with hearing loss. Hearing Associates is committed to giving you the support you and your family need to enhance everyone’s quality of life. Contact us to learn about our audiology services and testing options.