How to Get A Family Member To Consider Hearing Aids

Dr. Cliff Olson, Audiologist and founder of Applied Hearing Solutions in Anthem Arizona, discusses 5 things that can help you get a family member to consider hearing aids.

Website: DrCliffAuD.com

Clinic Website: AppliedHearingAZ.com

Everyone has a family member that refuses to treat their hearing loss. This can lead to communication difficulties which can ultimately lead to resentment. However, there are some tips that you can use to help them at least consider treatment.

1. Ask them to get a Hearing Test not Hearing Aids - As soon as you say Hearing AIDS, some individuals will stop paying attention. There are many generations that avoid hearing aids due to perceived stigma. Besides, you have no idea if hearing aids are the correct treatment option for them.
If they do agree to get their hearing treated, then it is up to the hearing care professional to educate them about hearing treatment and clear up any misconceptions of hearing loss. If they are really good, they may convince your family member to consider treatment.

2. Consider a Consumer Electronic device instead - Devices like the Bose Hearphones: , IQBuds Boost: , and the Pocketalker: are all consumer electronics that can boost hearing. If they see the benefit of these devices, then they may see the value in treating their hearing loss for real.

3. Show them how small Hearing Aids can actually be - If they are avoiding hearing aids because they are BIG and UGLY, they may not be aware of invisible in the canal hearing aids. Companies like Eargo.com will send you a set of dummy hearing devices that vanish inside the ear canal. If they agree to wear these, then they may agree to get their hearing treated for REAL by an audiologist who can program a pair of invisible hearing aids.

4. Offer to pay for treatment - There is a myth out there that hearing aids have to be expensive. There are many affordable options out there, you just have to look. However, some people will completely write-off the idea of hearing aids since they believe that the benefit is not worth the cost. If your family member is one of these individuals, then you may have to bite the bullet and buy the hearing aids for them.

5. Don't make it about them - The path to MOST resistance is to constantly tell that family member that they have a problem. Instead, make it about you and your other family members about how you and your other family members are having the difficulty communicating with them. If they see that you intent is to improve communication, you may have a shot at getting them to agree to get their hearing evaluated.

Ultimately, you will never convince someone to do something they don't want to do. After all, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink. You just have to take your intimate knowledge about what motivates your family member and combine it with these 5 tips and you may at least have a shot.