How frequently do you hear the words “Come again?” or “What did you say?” when speaking with your older parents? Have you gotten to the point where you are inclined to suggest that they obtain a hearing aid, but are unsure how to go about doing so? In this post, we will cover ways to inform your parents that they should invest in their hearing, which will make approaching the subject easier.
Show Concern for their Safety
It’s important to let your parents know that hearing aids not only improve their communication but also ward against potentially dangerous situations.
Explain to them that they may fail to notice crucial warning signs, like a fire alarm, or they might be navigating a crowded street and fail to hear approaching emergency sirens.
Additionally, cognitive impairment brought on by hearing loss might result in dementia, social isolation, and depression. Inform them gently that you wish to keep them in good health and how hearing aids might protect them from potential harm.
Gather Advocates
You can arrange for your parents to meet with some of their hearing aid-using friends or fellow residents in their senior assisted living community. By doing this, they can hear personal accounts of hearing loss and the advantages of getting hearing aids.
This could be beneficial in the long run, as our parents may eventually use this as a support system where they can exchange experiences and advice on how to communicate while using hearing aids.
Encourage Them to Try it Out First
Why not ask your parents to trial a pair of hearing aids if they still aren’t quite convinced that they will benefit from them?
Several hearing healthcare specialists offer free hearing aid trials to help your loved ones rediscover clarity and sound in speech that they might not have realized they have been missing out on.
Hopefully, the difference in hearing clarity that they experience during the trial period will be sufficient to convince them to get hearing aids.
Be Patient and Understanding
As your older loved one may find this change daunting, it’s imperative that you be patient with them and try your best to understand their concerns by asking questions. Is it that they are worried they may not be able to learn how to use the new gadget? Assure them that you will be there to assist them in the set up and learning process. Showing empathy and patience will help them feel less confronted and more willing to test out hearing aids.
Provide Continual Support
If your loved one has agreed to get hearing aids, the next step is to support them through their use of them. Thanks to technological improvements, people can now attend teleconferences and have their hearing aids adjusted from the comfort of their homes.
To minimise the expense and inconvenience of travel, several hearing specialists even offer in-home or mobile examinations. However, if your hearing aid provider does not offer this, you should ideally be there to accompany your loved one during each physical check up.
Here at our vibrant retirement community, we also value the importance of providing convenience for all our residents. This why we offer complimentary, chauffeured transportation through our Connections Transportation program so that your loved ones will be able to get to and from their medical appointments safely and easily.
