17 Tips for Talking About Hearing Loss With a Loved One

Hearing loss is a problem that affects more than 15% — around 37.5 million — of the adult population in the United States.¹

While there are many causes of hearing loss, the most common is related to age. Since symptoms can appear slowly over time, it's not unusual for people to ignore the signs or act as if they are in denial — especially if they associate signs of hearing loss with getting older. Yet left untreated, hearing loss can lead to other health conditions and contribute to a diminished quality of life.

Discussing hearing loss with a loved one is an important first step toward getting them the treatment they need, but it can be a delicate topic to approach. The tips below can help you get started.

Read Related: 12 Tips To Improve and Prevent Hearing Loss

1. Choose the Right Place to Talk

Before initiating your conversation, choose the right place to do it.²

• Pick a spot that's quiet and away from distractions like televisions and electronics.
• A quiet, well-lit spot allows your loved one to hear you clearly and take in what you are saying without the interference of background noise.
• Having no background noise also puts your loved one at ease because they may be reluctant to talk to you if they can't clearly understand what you're saying.

2. Pick a Good Time for Your Conversation

Just as important as the place for your conversation is the time.²

• Choose a time when your loved one is most calm and open to a longer talk. That could be the morning for some who are most alert during this time, or the afternoon for those who need a little time to fully wake up.
• For those who work during the week, a conversation during their day off may work best, but be sure to do so before your loved one becomes too tired for conversation late in the evening.
• Only initiate the conversation when both of you are alert and in a good mood to minimize any judgment on your part or defensiveness on your loved one's part.³

3. Face Your Loved One While Talking

Many people dealing with hearing loss have a hard time understanding what you are saying. Make it easier for them by:⁴

• Facing them directly during the conversation so they can read your lips while you speak
• Not chewing gum or eating during the conversation, which can make it harder for your loved one to read your lips²
• Speaking clearly and slowly in a normal voice so they can fully understand what you are saying

4. Bring Information About Hearing Loss

Come prepared to your conversation with facts for them to review.

• Bring information about hearing loss and hearing loss treatment, such as a brochure or online article, to show your loved one during your conversation and discuss during the talk.
• Let them know there are various causes of hearing loss, such as a buildup of ear wax, which are simple to treat.⁴
• Show them how hearing aids have changed over the years and aren't as big and bulky as they were in the past. In fact, many are barely noticeable when worn in the ear.⁵

5. Identify Specific Symptoms You've Noticed

Let your loved one know what symptoms you've noticed about their hearing loss, including:⁴

• Asking others to repeat themselves
• Leaning in closer to hear conversations
• Listening to the television at a very high volume
• Withdrawing from social situations⁶

Tell them how their symptoms are affecting their social and communication skills.

6. Discuss How Hearing Loss Is Affecting Your Relationship

Living with a loved one who has hearing loss can lead to loneliness due to a lack of communication.⁶

• Miscommunication is common between couples dealing with hearing loss. If your partner can't understand what you are saying, this could lead to confusion and fighting.⁶
• Explain that constantly having to repeat yourself can be frustrating for you and has led to a reluctance to talk to your partner.⁷
• Express how relying on you to act as their "ears" in social situations is stressful for you. Also, let them know that it's made you more reluctant to participate in social situations with them.⁷
• Stress to your loved one how seeing the doctor and wearing a hearing aid can help restore intimacy to your relationship through proper communication.⁶

7. Approach the Conversation With Empathy and Understanding

Create a supportive environment for the conversation by letting your loved one know that you are there to support them throughout their treatment. This will encourage them to match your positive, caring tone during the conversation as well.⁸

Remember that while you may be frustrated by their reluctance to acknowledge their hearing loss, don't lash out at them, which will put them on the defensive. Instead, let them know you are sad that you aren't able to spend more time with them conversing or you are exhausted having to repeat yourself.⁷

For those dealing with hearing loss, they may think that by acknowledging it, they might appear weak or lose the support of their loved ones. That's why it's vital to let them know that they won't lose your support during their treatment.

8. Use "I" Statements

You'll want to let your loved one know how their hearing loss is affecting you by using the first person, or "I" statements. This will help avoid putting your loved one on the defensive talking about their problems with hearing.⁹

• This may motivate your loved one to get help if they know how you are affected by their hearing loss.⁸
• It also allows you to communicate how their hearing loss has affected you negatively and why it's important for that to change.⁸
• You can come from a point of compassion, letting them know that you only want the best for them and are concerned about how their hearing loss is affecting your time together and their time with family.⁸
• Let them know that their hearing loss treatment won't affect your relationship negatively — in fact, it will only improve it.

9. Focus on the Impact of Hearing Loss on Your Loved One

Focus on their future by talking about things they could be missing out on if they don't address their signs of hearing loss, including:¹⁰

• Social events
• Eating out at restaurants
• Important work conversations
• Connecting with family and friends
• Outings with you
• Movies, theater shows and live events

10. Explain the Risks of Hearing Loss

Discuss the risks of untreated hearing loss, such as safety risks and predisposition to other medical conditions like:¹¹

• Depression
• Dementia
• Irritability
• Loss of concentration
• Reduced job performance
• An increased risk of falls⁷

11. Offer Solutions

Help your loved one create a plan of action to address their hearing loss, such as scheduling an appointment for a hearing test to identify the cause of their hearing loss, and learning more about treatment options.

You can even offer to schedule the appointment for them and accompany them to help alleviate their anxiety. This is also helpful for the doctor examining your loved one because you will be there to let them know of any symptoms you've noticed about your loved one's hearing issues.⁷

If you are concerned that you may also be experiencing hearing issues, offer to make an appointment for both of you with an audiologist — going together will put both of your minds at ease.⁶

12. Share Examples of Others Dealing With Hearing Loss

Share examples of people you know who have benefitted from hearing loss treatment testing.

• Explain how their life was before they sought hearing loss treatment and how it has changed for the better. This helps show them that they're not alone and that hearing loss is a common condition associated with aging.¹²
• Offer to introduce your loved one to others you know who have dealt with hearing loss. This will allow them to hear from those dealing with similar issues firsthand.¹³
• Seek out hearing loss support groups online or in-person to connect your loved one with others dealing with similar circumstances.⁴

13. Listen to Their Concerns

Dealing with hearing loss is difficult, and your loved one may have concerns you won't even expect. It's important to be a good listener yourself so you can take in these concerns and address them.

• Many people dealing with hearing loss may feel that there is a stigma attached to wearing a hearing aid or even acknowledging that there is a problem with their hearing.¹⁴
• Simply letting them explain these concerns can help them open up to the possibility of getting a hearing aid, if necessary.¹⁴
• Explain to your loved one that their hearing loss has started to distance them from you and other friends and family members, which will outweigh the stigma of a hearing aid.¹⁴
• Let them know there are many hearing aids available now that are barely noticeable.⁵
• Encourage them to visit an audiologist even if they don't think their hearing loss is serious, especially because it could be due to an infection.¹¹

14. Discuss the Costs of Hearing Loss Care

Your loved one may have concerns about the costs involved with hearing tests and hearing aids.

• The first step in getting them help is getting them a hearing test, which can average around $250, but this cost is typically covered by health insurance.¹⁵
• If a doctor determines that your loved one needs a hearing aid, costs can vary widely, depending on the type of hearing aid the doctor recommends. Hearing aids generally run around $2,000 to $3,000 per pair.¹¹
• Most health insurance plans won't cover the cost of hearing aids, but some do, so you'll need to check with their provider. They can also shop for hearing aids online to reduce the overall cost.¹⁶
• For some with mild to moderate hearing loss, an over-the-counter hearing aid may be a more reasonably priced option.⁵

15. Talk About Financing Options for Hearing Loss Treatment

Financial concerns could be stopping your loved one from dealing with their hearing loss. That's because health insurance generally doesn't cover the cost of hearing aids.¹¹

Fortunately, there are several ways for them to finance their hearing loss care, and you can suggest:

• Using cash or savings to pay for their care
• Utilizing an FSA or HSA account to pay for their hearing aids and care¹⁷
• Financing their care with a general purpose credit card
• Paying for their care over time with the CareCredit credit card, accepted by many hearing care professionals across the country*

16. Show Your Support

Be supportive by offering to accompany your loved one to audiology appointments and helping them follow through on their audiologist's recommendations.

• Consider being the one to schedule their audiologist appointments if it will make the process less stressful for them.¹⁸
• Offer to bring them to their doctor appointments, including their hearing aid fittings.
• Accompany them to their aural rehabilitation appointments, which teach those with hearing loss how to better communicate with others, if their doctor recommends them.¹³

17. Follow Up and Check In

Remember that it may take more than one conversation with your loved one to get them to seek the help of a doctor to determine the cause of their hearing loss. That's why following up and checking in with them is vital.¹⁴

Continue to check in with your loved one until they do get an audiology appointment so they will have an idea of their treatment options. Talk with them about these options and which ones might work best for them. Plus, note that some types of hearing aids offer trial periods of 30 to 60 days, so your loved one can try them out and see if they help.¹³

Financing Ear Care With the CareCredit Credit Card

The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for hearing care, including regular hearing tests, screenings and more.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a hearing specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

Author Bio

Susan Paretts is a freelance writer with 18 years of experience covering health and wellness, pet care, and more. Her work has been published by the American Kennel Club, Bayer Animal Health, Elanco, LIVESTRONG.com, The San Francisco Chronicle and Chewy.