How to Support a Loved One With Hearing Loss
How can I help my loved one hear better?
There are many ways to create a supportive environment that helps your loved ones reconnect with the world of sound.
It is very important for the family to be involved in understanding their loved one's hearing health, as this is the only way to develop joint strategies that actually work.
How do I raise the issue of hearing loss with my loved one?
- 1.
Be open and honest
Share how hearing changes are affecting everyone and focus on how open discussion leads to solutions. Share caring observations from everyday life, creating space for mutual support and understanding. - 2.
Focus on the benefits
Share information on what better hearing can bring; such as more energy, clearer conversations, and feeling more connected with the people and moments you love. Taking care of hearing means enjoying life’s moments, connecting with loved ones, and feeling more confident every day. - 3.
Solutions are available and accessible
Modern technology has evolved to meet the hearing needs of each individual’s lifestyle. Talk about the benefits of using hearing aids. Make sure you approach the conversation with care, focusing on how today’s advanced technology makes hearing easier, more comfortable, and enjoyable. - 4.
Address their concerns
Ask your loved one what their hesitations or concerns are. Allow them to express their feelings without judgment. Try to understand their expectations and what they would ideally like to achieve. Use this to bridge the gap toward seeking help. - 5.
Let them know you’re there
You can also ask a trusted friend or family member, who has sought hearing health care, to reassure them of the process.
Your hearing care professional will also offer support through their journey to better hearing.1
Be a part of their hearing wellness journey
Pintado says it is essential to have the most complete diagnosis possible, so that the person with hearing loss can understand their hearing condition and any needs.
At the same time, it is necessary for family members and close friends to understand the process in order to provide support and understand their loved one’s needs.
- 1.
Support and comfort
Provide emotional support, reducing any anxiety or stress associated with the appointment. - 2.
Additional perspective
Offer observations on your family member’s hearing abilities in different environments; this can be valuable information for your hearing care professional. - 3.
Help with communication
Assist in understanding the explanations and recommendations from your hearing care professional. - 4.
Memory aid
Help your loved one recall key details so they don't miss important information or instructions. - 5.
Decision-making
Your perspective can help your loved one make confident and well-informed choices about care, technology, and next steps.
Create hearing-loss friendly communication
Hearing-loss friendly communication strategies
Plan some hearing-loss friendly communication strategies, like reducing background noise, speaking face-to-face, and ensuring your loved one is actively engaged and included.
Speak to your hearing care professional
If you find that your loved one is still experiencing difficulty, speak to your hearing care professional about aural rehabilitation: exercises available to train the brain to cope with processing sound from the hearing aids.
Accompany your loved ones
You can also accompany your loved one on their visits to their hearing care professional. By doing so you can help ensure they are following the correct device instructions, assist with basic troubleshooting, and help with changing batteries or wax guards.
With a little focus and care, you can help your loved one feel confident, connected, and supported along the way.
A little motivation goes a long way
It’s common for people to downplay or dismiss changes in their hearing at first4 – either because they don’t notice the signs, or they feel it’s not serious enough to take action, or because of a stigma associated with hearing loss.
If your friend or loved one is still experiencing elements of hearing loss denial even after they have sought help from a hearing care professional, you can offer motivational support to keep them on the right track.
Talk to them about how hearing aids reduce the progression of cognitive decline associated with hearing loss5, or encourage them to discuss their resistance to wearing hearing aids with their hearing care professional.
You can make a difference by communicating your thoughts with empathy and encouragement. There’s no pressure – just the opportunity to discover how better hearing can open up their world.
Find your nearest hearing care center and schedule your appointment.
If you persevere, your loved one will eventually notice the signs themselves. It is important to be encouraging and supportive as they embrace their hearing changes at their own pace.
Sources:
1. HearUSA: You can help make a difference: https://www.hearusa.com/hearing-loss/help-a-loved-one/
2. Hear Canada: Why you should bring a buddy to your hearing assessment: https://www.hearcanada.com/blog/2024_10_07_why-you-should-bring-a-buddy-to-your-hearing-assessment
3. Hear Canada: What Happens After Your Hearing Test: The Next Chapter in Your Hearing Health: https://www.hearcanada.com/blog/2025-05-what-happens-after-your-hearing-test/
4. Journal of Hearing Science: Denial by patients of hearing loss: https://www.journalofhearingscience.com/DENIAL-BY-PATIENTS-OF-HEARING-LOSS-AND-nTHEIR-REJECTION-OF-HEARING-HEALTH-CARE-nA,120311,0,2.html
5. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions: The impact of hearing impairment and hearing aid use on progression to mild cognitive impairment in cognitively healthy adults: An observational cohort study (Feb 2022): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35229022/
JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery: Hearing Loss, Hearing Aid Use, and Risk of Dementia in Older Adults (1 Feb 2024): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38175662/
