Dealing with the Hearing Loss of someone close

Many people think they don't need to start worrying about hearing loss until they hit retirement, but in truth, while it is more common among the older generation, it can affect anyone at any age. Research from Action on Hearing Lossestimates that over ten million people - one in six of the UK population - is living with some form of hearing impairment.

Sudden hearing loss - from minor impairments to profound deafness - can be caused by accidents, exposure to extremely high-decibel noises and infections to the ear, but the most common type of hearing loss is not sudden, but slow and degenerative. Exposure to loud noises over a long period of time can cause hearing to deteriorate, but sometimes it is unknown why the sensitive hair cells in the inner ear, which convert physical vibrations into electrical impulses that the brain can recognises as sounds, begin to degenerate. The fact that this is a gradual process can often make it hard to spot; this guide should hopefully provide a little assistance should you feel concerned about the hearing of someone close to you.

Spotting the signs

The NHS has some excellent background information on hearing loss, but the easiest way to spot hearing loss in a friend or family member is to look for changes in behaviour that may be related to an impairment. For example, does this person suddenly have a difficulty following conversations in a loud environment? Do you find them asking you to repeat yourself more frequently when speaking to them on the telephone? Has the volume on their television set got noticeably louder? It is small changes like this that could indicate the individual is starting to lose their hearing, and swift action is needed to prevent a) the condition worsening, and b) the individual starting to feel isolated and less sociable - a common impact of undiagnosed hearing loss.

Broaching the subject

Telling someone you believe their hearing is on the wane is a difficult subject to bring up, and will frequently will be met with a swift and firm denial. The key is not to focus on the deficiency, in which case the individual may get defensive as is being insulted, and instead focus on the way this person's life may be improved if they do something about their hearing impairment.

There is, unfortunately, something of a stigma attached to hearing aids so this is another barrier which must likely be overcome, but remember that you don't have to convince this person to go and get a hearing aid, simply take a hearing test and discuss their options. This can be done with a doctor, but free hearing tests and expert consultations are available with high street specialists. If after this no-obligation consultation the individual wishes to take no action, that is their choice; spotting the signs, broaching the subject in a positive way and getting them thinking about their hearing is as much as you can do.

Home | Drugs | Contact Us | Skin Disorders | Home Remedies | Diabetes | Health Blog
Copyright © HealthAtoZ.info All Rights Reserved.