Hearing loss is a common problem in our noisy society. So is denial you're experiencing hearing loss.
To compensate for hearing loss, people in denial will often ask those around them to repeat information at greater volume, unintentionally compelling their loved ones to act as their ears. Yet acting as ears for a hearing-impaired loved one who is in denial can actually do more harm than good.
Dr. Richard Carmen, an advisor with the Better Hearing Institute, offers tips on how to get loved ones to admit their hearing loss and seek treatment:
* Stop repeating yourself and stop raising your voice.
* Enlist the entire family in helping your hearing impaired loved one overcome his denial.
* Use an alerting phrase like "Hearing Helper," and say it every time a hearing-impaired loved one requires you to repeat information or raise your voice in order for him to hear better. The repetition will bring home to the person how often he or she asks for help to hear.
To learn more about hearing loss and effective treatments, visit the Better Hearing Institute's Web site at www.BetterHearing.org.
(Reprinted with permission from the Better Hearing Institute.)
