Discussing Hearing Test Needs With Loved Ones

As people get older, the need for a hearing test becomes even more important. The problem is,, many people do not think they need it and others believe that they just do not have anything to worry about in this area. Yet, more than 50 percent of those who are elderly need to have some type of screening and device to improve their ability to hear. There is good news, though. New technology makes it far easier to improve this ability without making it obvious to anyone who sees you. Does Your Loved One Need a Test? Some doctors recommend having an annual hearing test after the age of 60. Others believe these screenings should happen at a younger age. If you have a loved one that may need this type of screening, it can seem difficult to approach them on the subject. However, there are a few different ways to do this without stepping on toes or hurting another person's feelings. The following situations can help you. Let the Doctor Do the Talking If you are taking a loved one in for a physical or another health need, you will want to ask the physician to mention the need for a hearing test. If the doctor is standing behind the patient by a few feet and the patient does not respond to some of his or her questions, this could be enough of an initial screening for the doctor to order a full set of tests. Encourage the doctor to bring the subject up with the individual so they see the importance of it. Demonstrate the Problem In some cases, people really have no idea that they have a problem. That's because most loss occurs over a period of time. It is a good idea to show them their inability to hear is present. For example, you can demonstrate how loud the television is or demonstrate that they do not hear the telephone ringing. You may want to talk about the changes occurring in the individual's life because he or she cannot hear. Perhaps family and friends struggle to speak with them and have inquired about the concern. A hearing test may seem like a simple thing to do, but the problem is that it can create a rift in the way a person lives his or her life. Some people know they need this type of help from a device but they are unwilling to admit it because it would mean admitting they are getting old or they have a problem. It is often best, in these situations, to stress there are many effective solutions that can help to reduce the overall impact of this type of loss.