“Families are like fudge: mostly sweet with a few nuts.” -anonymous
“Language is a means of getting an idea from my brain into yours without surgery.” – Mark Amidon
Hearing loss doesn’t just affect the person living with it. It affects the entire family and can often put a strain on relationships. It often starts as “annoying” but then can escalate to downright frustrating.
Today I’d like to share three of my favorite tips on motivating your loved one (husband/wife/mom/dad) towards getting the hearing help they need to make communication smoother. Enjoyable again, even!
tip #1. Explain to them that having a hearing test is nothing more than “a physical for your ears”. explain to them that it is a quick, painless procedure and it will allow us to know if there is actually hearing loss or not. Let them know that there is a chance they DON’T have hearing loss.
tip #2. You can also tell them that when the doctor of audiology checks their ears, it may be something so simple as earwax! Many patients come into our offices not hearing well and once we remove the impacted wax they can hear again!
tip #3. Tell them that most all insurances pay for this because it is just as important as any other health screening. A basic hearing test is just as important as getting your annual physical, a colonoscopy, getting your eyes checked and your blood work done.
tip #4. Do it for love, lol. Tell your loved one that you want to grow old with them, you want them to age gracefully. Patients who live with untreated hearing loss have a faster rate of cognitive decline. This is a serious thing! You want them to stay sharp metally as they age!
Thank you as always for reading and allowing me the privilege to share this work with you each week.
With Appreciation,
Dr. Sheryl Figliano, Au.D.