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Helping someone with hearing loss

An individual's hearing loss can affect everyone around them, and their family and friends will likely feel the benefits when they seek treatment. On this page, you can learn how to help your loved one on their journey to healthy hearing.

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6 signs your loved one has hearing loss

Do you recognize any of these symptoms in a friend or loved one?

If you become familiar with the signs of hearing loss, you can better help your loved one on their journey to better hearing.

Two people are sitting outdoors, laughing and engaging in conversation with each other. They are seated at a wooden table in what appears to be a scenic, green outdoor setting.
Difficulty following conversations
They have difficulty following group conversations (or when background noise is present)
A man in a green shirt talks on a smartphone outside, with trees and sunlight in the background.
Phone conversations are unclear
They have trouble following phone conversations in quiet and noisy places
Elderly man gesturing while engaging in conversation
They ask others to repeat themselves
They complain that they cannot hear others clearly or that others seem to be mumbling
Hand cupped behind an ear, symbolizing listening or hearing difficulty.
Difficulty locating sounds
They have difficulty locating where sounds are coming from
Person holding their temples with both hands, eyes closed, and facial expression indicating pain or stress, in front of a plain grey background.
Signs of tinnitus
They experience ringing or buzzing sounds in their ears (called tinnitus)
A hand holds a TV remote, pressing a button; the background shows a blurred television screen, creating a relaxed, home entertainment context.
Turning up the TV too loud
They turn up the TV volume too loud for others
Man holding his head while talking on the phone, appearing distressed or in discomfort.

Behavioral changes can be a sign of hearing loss

If someone you know is suffering from untreated hearing loss, you might notice some changes in their behavior. These may include:1

  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Feelings of shame, guilt or anger
  • Becoming self-critical, frustrated and depressed

When to seek help for hearing loss

How to help someone with hearing loss

Here are 3 ways you can help your loved one take the first step towards better hearing
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Signs of hearing loss
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Request a consultation for someone you love

Help your loved one take the first step to better hearing by scheduling an appointment. The booking is complimentary, and there is no obligation to purchase.

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Consequences of untreated hearing loss

In order to increase your loved one's awareness about their potential hearing loss, tell them about the benefits of seeking hearing care. You may also wish to share some of the short- and long-term consequences of untreated hearing loss1,2,3,4, such as:

6 benefits of treating hearing loss

Couple riding bicycles outdoors in a green, sunny environment
1. Hear clearly in most situations and enjoy life more
People enjoying conversation and wine at an outdoor dinner party.
2. Be able to participate in conversations again
Smiling woman with blonde hair posing confidently, hands resting behind her head.
3. Avoid the stress and discomfort caused by impaired hearing
Happy senior couple smiling and sitting outdoors while sharing a moment together.
4. Avoid having to ask people to repeat themselves
Elderly man with a hearing aid talking on the phone in a well-lit living room.
5. Hear phone conversations effortlessly
Couple sitting on a sofa sharing a bowl of popcorn and holding a remote control.
6. Listen to the TV at the same volume as other people around you

7 habits for good communication

There are a number of ways to make it easier to communicate with those who have hearing loss. Practice these 7 habits for clearer communication:

  1. Gain the person’s attention before speaking so that they’re ready to look at you and focus on what you’re saying.
  2. Speak clearly and at a natural pace; don’t shout.
  3. Move closer and sit where your face is lit, so that your facial expressions are easy to read.
  4. Try not to talk while chewing or smoking, and be sure not to hide your mouth or chin while speaking.
  5. Reduce background noise, turn down the music or TV, or find somewhere quiet to talk.
  6. If you are in a group, try not to interrupt each other.
  7. Instead of repeating yourself, try to rephrase the sentence.

Tips for talking to a friend about hearing loss:

Sources

1. Amieva, H., Ouvrard, C., Meillon, C., Rullier, L., & Dartigues, J. (2018, January 03). Death, Depression, Disability, and Dementia Associated With Self-reported Hearing Problems: A 25-Year Study. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/73/10/1383/4783130

2. Lin, F. R.. (2011, February 1). Hearing Loss and Incident Dementia. Archives of Neurology. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/802291.

3. Lin, F. R., & Ferrucci, L. (2012). Hearing loss and falls among older adults in the United States. Archives of internal medicine, 172(4), 369–371. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2011.728

4. Rönnberg J;Lunner T;Zekveld A;Sörqvist P;Danielsson H;Lyxell B;Dahlström O;Signoret C;Stenfelt S;Pichora-Fuller MK;Rudner M;. (n.d.). The Ease of Language Understanding (ELU) model: Theoretical, empirical, and clinical advances. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23874273/

 

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