When you are part of a family, you share everything, both the good and the bad. When someone in the family is hard of hearing or loses their hearing, the entire family needs to come together and help this person.
Beginning with the purchase of noise-suppressing hearing aids, and learning different techniques for hearing impaired persons, everyone in the family can continue to be helpful and loving towards each other. It should not be difficult to incorporate these simple tips into a daily lifestyle so that the person who is missing their hearing, remains a part of the family in every way possible.
Here are 4 tips for living with hearing difficulties:
1. Talk With Your Family
When you first experience hearing loss, take the time to talk with your family members. Update them on your progress and tell them how they can help you. Do not wait until you have been saying “what?” for many weeks.
If you discuss ways they can help you understand what they are saying and what they need, you will find that everyone is going to be less frustrated. Keeping the peace and helping one another, especially in your own home, is the right thing to do.
2. Turn Off Other Noise
When you have something important to discuss, be sure to turn off other noise. Even if it is not that important, it is a good idea to speak with the hearing impaired person in a quiet space.
The person with the hearing loss may still be able to hear noises like the television, dishwasher or washing machine, however, they are going to be a static sound and could distort your voice and what you are trying to communicate to them. Try to speak with the person with the loss of hearing without other noise in the room; they will be better able to understand you the first time you speak.
3. Give Your Family a Heads Up
Tell your family members to call out your name or tap you on the shoulder if they want to speak with you. They need to get your attention before they start talking. This may take some time for them to get used to, but it will be helpful in the long run.
This will cut down on a lot of frustration with the person having difficulty hearing. If everyone in the home gets used to walking up to the other person before speaking, it will become second nature and everyone will be calmer.
4. Be Sure You Are Facing Each Other
The majority of hearing-impaired persons can read lips. This, along with facial expressions are helpful in conveying what needs to be discussed. Even if your face is turned a little, it can mean the difference between understanding and a misunderstanding.
If everyone works together to ensure a person with a hearing loss is accommodated, then the household will be better managed and calmer overall. Adjusting just a little when dealing with someone who cannot hear as well as others is the least you can do to help them when they need it most.