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It can be frustrating when someone you love is experiencing hearing loss. They might constantly need you to repeat what you — or others — are saying. Maybe they’re withdrawing from activities and friendships they previously enjoyed. You find yourself shouting at them and then you get mad at yourself for getting upset.

If it’s hard for you, it’s also hard for them. They might not realize they’re losing their hearing but they can sense your growing impatience. Tensions flare, making a difficult situation even worse even though it’s neither your fault nor theirs.

Remember that when someone can no longer hear as well as they used to, their brains are tasked with coming up with coping mechanisms. This makes everyday activities more tiring. You might think that accepting they have a problem is an easy solution but, to them, hearing loss might be another unwelcome sign that they are getting older.

Given how sophisticated and discreet hearing aids have become, you might find it hard to understand why someone resists getting their hearing tested. NexGen Hearing offers these five helpful do’s and don’ts to help convince someone you love it’s time to start hearing properly again.

1. Don’t be human hearing aid. Simply repeating everything that’s said to them might seem like you’re helping, but you’re not. You’re helping them continue to deny that there’s a problem.
2. Don’t let yourself become their enabler. Someone with hearing loss finds ways to get around challenging situations. But they also rely on your help. If you’re continually willing to be their translator, it prolongs how long it takes them to admit it’s time to get their hearing tested.
3. Take the emotion out of it. Don’t tell them they need to get their hearing tested while you’re in the midst of a frustrating situation. Calm down and then provide them with factual examples of why you know they are having difficulties: the television volume is at maximum, you had to repeat what a store clerk told them or they no longer want to go out to a restaurant or visit with friends.
4. Let them know about the amazing new hearing aid technologies. Did you know that hearing aids can have Bluetooth? Wearers don’t need to take out their hearing aids to listen to their favourite music or talk on their smartphone. As well, hearing aid prescriptions target where the problems are and don’t simply act as an amplifier of all sounds. They are tailored to each and every person’s needs.
5. Make it fun. While modern hearing aids can be very discreet if that is what the wearer wants, you can also match them to hair colour or bling them up like jewellery. Don’t be embarrassed about wearing a hearing aid — flaunt it!