If you find yourself searching for and reading this article, it is because you are looking for ways to offer proper support to your loved ones who are or might be suffering from hearing loss. We know that it can be frustrating for both parties to communicate when neither is able to send the intended message across to the other, especially when you are living together. Firstly, learn more on how to spot the signs that your loved one is suffering from hearing loss:
What are the signs of hearing loss?
You should look out for these behaviours:
- Complaining that everyone seems to be mumbling and always asks others to speak up or repeat themselves.
- Does not hear or react when someone calls them from behind or from another room.
- Turns up the TV volume at abnormally high levels.
- Needs to be face-to-face to reply or talk to you.
- Difficulty in listening and responding to conversations outside in noisy environments such as restaurants, bus stops, and nature parks etc.
If you can agree to a few to all of them, this is an indication for loss of hearing. But here are ways you can provide support:
How to support them
In outside situations where they might be attending a family dinner or outing, you can call your relatives in advance to let them know of the situation and how to handle it so that there will not be any miscommunications or misunderstandings. You can also sit next to them to be their messenger and let them know if they have missed out on any questions or conversations directed to them. Other ways you can also support them are:
- Start off the conversation by mentioning their name and making sure they are aware that you are speaking to them.
- If they have a hard time understanding you, paraphrase your words instead of repeating the same exact line back to them.
- Avoid speaking too fast or using complex sentences in your conversations, it may be difficult for them to comprehend.
- Speak clearly and slowly, even if you have a point to make, so that they can catch up on what you are saying.
- Do not call or talk to them from another room. They might not be able to hear at all.
Most importantly, be patient with them. There are many more ways to support them, but do not overcompensate for them.
Do not overdo it
You can be there for them, but not too much until they are fully dependent on you. Even though you are trying to be helpful, it will not do good to either one of you in the long run and might cause annoyance and resentment instead.
Be there for them
Attend hearing care appointments and audiological consultations with them. By accompanying them, it shows how much you care for them and that you also have their best interests at heart by finding out more about their condition. You can use the opportunity to enquire more about the condition, what is the worst case scenario when left untreated and what are the available treatment options. At Cochlear Implant Singapore, we have more than 4 decades of global and regional experience in the assessment of hearing, consultations, and treatments. We aim to be a safe space for people who have undergone cochlear implant or are planning to, as well as for their loved ones too. If you are not sure which cochlear implant to choose, book a consultation with us today to find out more about the cochlear implant treatment options out there.