If you are the spouse, child or friend of someone with untreated hearing loss, there are several ways in which you can make communication with them easier. Here are some simple steps to help facilitate with your friend or loved one.
Don't
- Raise your voice or shout, as this will only distort your speech
- Speak when they are unable to see your face
- Have a conversation while chewing or covering your mouth
Do
- Speak slowly and clearly
- Get their attention before beginning a conversation, and make them aware of any topic changes within a conversation
- Communicate how their hearing loss is affecting your relationship
- Encourage them to get their hearing screened
- Accompany them to their appointment with a hearing care professional
Research has shown that hearing aids do have a significant impact on interpersonal relationships and overall quality of life.
Specifically, in the USA the National Council on Aging (NCOA) surveyed 4000 hearing impaired individuals and their family members and found:
- Treatment of hearing loss improves the relationship at home and with family
- The use of hearing aids is associated with reductions in anger, frustration, paranoia and anxiety
- Most people who use hearing aids have improved social lives
- Hearing impaired who use hearing aids report better health than hearing impaired who do not use hearing aids
- 9 out of 10 hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life
The best thing you can do is to help him or her recognize they have a problem and get them to take action.