Loss of hearing is very common as people get older, and these days, with more and more noise due to heavy traffic, music concerts, MP3 players and suchlike, many people are developing hearing problems at a much younger age.
This can be extremely difficult to come to terms with at first, especially as it creeps up so gradually, and many people who are suffering from hearing loss are in denial for a long time.
This can be infuriating for family and friends, especially as the problem is often directed at them.
You may be accused of mumbling, or not speaking clearly, or having the TV too quiet, and everything will be your fault.
By losing your temper or being confrontational this will only get worse.
If you do suspect that a member of your family is suffering from hearing loss, try to react calmly if they keep asking you to repeat yourself, remember, it is embarrassing for them to have to keep asking you as much as it is annoying for you to have to keep repeating yourself.
Do not shout, but try to speak in a loud and clear voice, and turn towards them so that they can see your lips moving, this can all help with what can be an extremely delicate situation.
Many people will not even contemplate the thought of having a hearing aid device, even though it could help to enhance their lives considerably.
If you suggest it and the idea is dismissed, don't push it, let the person come to terms with the problem gradually and in time they may make the decision themselves to have a hearing test.
There are many other devices which are specifically designed to help people who have impaired hearing.
Especially useful is a telephone which is designed for people with hearing difficulties, this can make a tremendous difference and be a real help.
You can also find specially adapted doorbells, alarm clocks and amplifiers for the TV, so it is definitely worth investigating what is available and incorporating some of them into your daily lives.
Hopefully, anyone with severe difficulties will visit their doctor for a check up and be fitted with an aid, but until they are ready for that, try to be patient and help out in a non condescending fashion, and don't get upset if they put all of the blame onto you, they are suffering yet don't feel ready to acknowledge their problems and get professional help.
This can be extremely difficult to come to terms with at first, especially as it creeps up so gradually, and many people who are suffering from hearing loss are in denial for a long time.
This can be infuriating for family and friends, especially as the problem is often directed at them.
You may be accused of mumbling, or not speaking clearly, or having the TV too quiet, and everything will be your fault.
By losing your temper or being confrontational this will only get worse.
If you do suspect that a member of your family is suffering from hearing loss, try to react calmly if they keep asking you to repeat yourself, remember, it is embarrassing for them to have to keep asking you as much as it is annoying for you to have to keep repeating yourself.
Do not shout, but try to speak in a loud and clear voice, and turn towards them so that they can see your lips moving, this can all help with what can be an extremely delicate situation.
Many people will not even contemplate the thought of having a hearing aid device, even though it could help to enhance their lives considerably.
If you suggest it and the idea is dismissed, don't push it, let the person come to terms with the problem gradually and in time they may make the decision themselves to have a hearing test.
There are many other devices which are specifically designed to help people who have impaired hearing.
Especially useful is a telephone which is designed for people with hearing difficulties, this can make a tremendous difference and be a real help.
You can also find specially adapted doorbells, alarm clocks and amplifiers for the TV, so it is definitely worth investigating what is available and incorporating some of them into your daily lives.
Hopefully, anyone with severe difficulties will visit their doctor for a check up and be fitted with an aid, but until they are ready for that, try to be patient and help out in a non condescending fashion, and don't get upset if they put all of the blame onto you, they are suffering yet don't feel ready to acknowledge their problems and get professional help.
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