Seeking support from your friends and family when you have hearing loss.
Communication is a key part of maintaining healthy relationships with family and friends but it’s the first thing to be compromised when someone has hearing loss. Those suffering from hearing loss will often steer clear of conversations and social interaction to avoid any stress, embarrassment or awkward situations. Isolation and withdrawal can have negative effects on your health and well-being and your relationships.
Hearing loss is an invisible condition and can often be mistaken for aloofness, personality changes, even dementia. It is important to talk to your friends and family about the issue so they can better understand what you are going through and change the way they communicate with you.
If you are suffering from hearing loss, both you and your family can work together to make hearing easier:
- Tell your friends and family about your hearing loss! They need to know that hearing is hard for you. The more you tell the people you spend time with, the more they can help you.
- Ask people to speak louder. Let them know there is no need to shout or speak slowly, just clearer and louder so you can understand them.
- Be aware of noise around you that can make hearing more difficult e.g. turn off the TV or radio if you are not actively listening to it. Background noise makes it hard to hear people talk.
- Encourage people to face you when they talk so that you can see their facial expressions and understand them better.
Taking the first step to talk your friends and family about your hearing loss can be difficult but the more people you talk to, the more support you will have to cope with your hearing loss.
We are family too! A family owned and managed hearing healthcare centre with over 30 years experience, Total Hearing and Health Morningside can help equip you with the information you need to communicate with your friends and family about your hearing loss.
Make an appointment today……