You know your parents do need a Hearing Aid but they think it’s not required. How do you convince your parents to use Hearing Aids? Convincing the elderly to use Hearing Aids can be a tough job, they have their own mind set and ideas which need to be understood, once you understand their thought process it becomes easy to convince them. The common points of resistance or reasons put up by them, the 5 helpful tips to convince your parents to use Hearing aids will come in handy and make your task easier.
Reasons for not using a Hearing Aid and 5 helpful Tips to convince them
Mentioned below are the most common reasons for their reluctance and the 5 helpful tips on convincing your parents to use Hearing Aids.
1. I don’t need a Hearing Aid, I can hear fine
The most common reason is denial, they do not want to accept the fact that their Hearing is becoming weak. It starts with blaming others. Statements like “can’t you speak properly” or “why don’t you open your mouth and talk” are common, my father used to blame the phone “this phone is bad, can’t you get me a better instrument”
Tip 1
Explain to your parents that you are speaking properly and loud enough, wait for the right opportunity to prove your point. The opportunity might come when they miss out on an important family discussion or miss the dialogues of their favourite TV program. Request them to answer this Simple Questionnaire. If the answer to the questionnaire does point towards a Hearing Loss then the next step is to get a professional opinion about your parents Hearing loss.
Visit an Audiologist
How do I convince my parents to visit the Audiologist?
If your parents are reluctant to the idea of visiting an Audiologist, explain to them that the test is necessary and is as simple as taking an eye test. The Audiologist will conduct an audiometry test which will determine the severity or percentage of Hearing Loss and the type of Hearing Loss. After the test, discuss with the Audiologist and take advice regarding the type of Hearing Aid required.
2. Stigma of being called Deaf
Some of the parents who are socially active among the seniors club or associations do not want to be called deaf. If no one in their social circle uses a Hearing Aid they do not want to be the first to start using one. “Why do I need them? None of my friends use a Hearing Aid” is a common comment.
Tip 2
Explain to them that Hearing Loss though age related does not affect everybody equally or at the same age, some get it earlier than others. We should explain that Hearing Loss is as natural as deteriorating eye sight, if we can wear spectacles all the time why not Hearing Aids?
3. The Hearing Aid is too big and inconvenient.
Some years back the Body level or Pocket model Hearing Aids were big and bulky and had to be clipped to the pocket, the wire from the Hearing aid in the pocket led to the ear where the Receiver is fitted. Inconvenience was a genuine concern.
Tip 3
If size is the reason for them for not using a Hearing Aid, then you should make them aware that Digital Hearing Aid technology has improved a lot over the years. Currently very small Digital Hearing Aids which are only partially visible or not visible at all are available. Show them pictures RIC, ITC, CIC and IIC Hearing Aids.
It is said that hiding a Hearing Aid is easier than hiding a Hearing loss.
4. Cost factor
Some parents do know that they have a hearing problem but do not want to burden their children with additional expenses. This could be common in Countries where medical insurance for the elderly is not available and they are reluctant to dip into their savings or depend on their children.
Tip 4
It is our responsibility to convince our parents that they are not a burden or a liability on us. Hearing Aids are available at affordable prices with excellent features, study the features before selecting the Hearing Aid. Many countries offer subsidy or totally free Hearing Aids for senior citizens the needy. The Government of India also offers Hearing Aids under the ADIP scheme (Assistance for Disabled Persons). You can check the ADIP distribution guidelines here.
5. Sound Quality
The elderly generally discuss their problems with each other in their social group, they will come across a lot of negative opinions on use of Hearing Aids. The 2 most common complaints are too much noise resulting in headaches leading to stress and unintelligible speech.
Tip 5
These reasons were genuine to some extent, the 2 main reasons for intolerable noise and unintelligible speech was the old analogue technology having limited setting features. Current Digital Hearing Aids offer special features to reduce background noise and enhance speech using microprocessors. Digital Hearing Aid technology also allows precise setting or tuning as per the needs of the user. An Audiologist is trained by the company to program or set the features making the Hearing Aids deliver natural and comfortable sound to the user.
Scientific studies prove that using Hearing Aids makes them healthy and happy. If they are unable to hear properly they will withdraw from family discussions and social interactions, this withdrawal leads to depression and even Alzheimer’s disease in some cases.
Convince them that using Hearing Aids will make them less dependent on others, tell them about the quality time they can share with the family and grandchildren and enjoy watching their favourite TV programs. We as children have to be very patient, caring, loving and a support for our parents.
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