As your parents get older, you may have to broach uncomfortable conversations about unpopular topics—ranging from when it’s time to stop driving or living independently to when it’s time to get help for a hearing loss that is causing communication breakdowns. 

A tough but important conversation

Nobody wants to throw in the towel and admit they can’t do things they have always enjoyed. Not only that, but most parents and their children dread the day when their roles may be reversed: When the adult child is faced with becoming a caregiver for their aging parents. Much of the turmoil surrounding this time for aging adults is rooted in fear of losing their independence.

A safety matter

But having an untreated or ignored hearing loss can have a big impact on their health and safety. For example, hearing loss can impact:

• Driver safety. Operating a vehicle without being able to hear emergency sirens or other drivers honking can cause accidents. 
• Medical safety. Not being able to communicate effectively with multiple medical professionals and specialists can result in instructions not being followed and dangerous misunderstandings. 
• Everyday safety. Not being able to hear the oven beeping or the faucet running can quickly turn into an emergency. 

It's also a quality of life issue

Studies have shown that when hearing loss is ignored, it can hasten cognitive decline. Not being able to hear means your parents will have a harder time connecting with others which leads to social isolation, feelings of helplessness, and depression. They may stop doing many of the things they once enjoyed. Even your own interactions with your folks may become strained due to their hearing loss, and this is no way to spend your precious time together.

Tips for talking about hearing loss

If you’re ready to broach this difficult topic and tell your parents it's time to get hearing aids, there are right and wrong ways to go about it. Here are some tips for success.

Health benefits of wearing hearing aids

Mention the health benefits of hearing aids, like the delayed onset of cognitive decline and a reduction in social isolation. Hearing aids can also help treat tinnitus. It's hard to argue against these benefits.

Do your homework

Take time to research the basics of hearing loss and hearing aids. If your parents have limited knowledge, they’ll appreciate that you are a few steps ahead of them. If they already know a lot about hearing loss treatment, you’ll be able to have an intelligent discussion if you know the basics. You may also want to read up on age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss, both of which are common in older adults. 

Timing is important

Avoid talking about hearing aids with your parents during times when they may feel stressed out about other things or are at maximum frustration with their hearing loss. Wait until you have some peaceful alone time with them. Turn off the television and silence your phones so you won’t be interrupted.

Be empathetic and loving

First, try and put yourself in their shoes. After all, many years down the road, you may be the one on the receiving end of this difficult conversation with your loved ones. You want them to get help for their hearing loss because you want the best for them. Don’t lose sight of your good intentions if the conversation isn’t going the way you hoped. Now more than ever it's important to know these communication tips for talking to people with hearing loss.

Focus on the impacts

Rather than talking incessantly about the hearing loss itself—which could cause your mom or dad to become defensive—focus on how the hearing loss is affecting your lives, especially if you are a caregiver. You might tell them that you are sad to see they don’t enjoy playing bridge anymore or going to the theater as they once did. You might mention that they seem tired and frustrated more often because listening with hearing loss is much harder than with normal hearing. You might even tell them how much their young granddaughter misses being able to talk to them on the phone. Ask them to open up to you about other challenges the hearing loss is causing.

Be a partner

To the extent they want help, offer it. The beginning of a new journey with hearing aids can be daunting with so many product choices, confusing hearing aid advertisements, and technology that can be difficult to understand. Help Mom or Dad find a hearing care professional close to home, and offer to go to their appointments with them. It’s useful to have a second set of ears at these appointments since there will be a lot of information to digest, and you can help your parents sort through it.

If you are in the fortunate position to be able to help your mom or dad pay for their new hearing aids, consider that your help could be just the push they need to take the next step. Hearing aids are expensive, and they are not covered by Medicare. Price alone is one of the most common reasons why people don’t buy hearing aids.

Be an advocate

If you succeed, and Mom or Dad ends up with new hearing aids, that’s wonderful. But, new hearing aids are only the beginning of the better hearing journey. Adjusting to new sounds and getting used to handling hearing aids isn’t easy for everyone. You can be a valuable resource for your folks by practicing hearing aid care with them in between their follow up appointments, talking about all the new sounds they are hearing and just being patient with their process. Make sure that they know there is an adjustment period.

You can also be their champion with the rest of the family so everyone understands how best to communicate with your parents. As we grow older, we sometimes become less assertive about our needs and less willing to “rock the boat.” If the hearing aids aren’t working properly or if your parent isn’t satisfied, be a liaison between them and their hearing care professional. Don’t let their concerns be ignored, or those hard-won hearing aids may end up in the junk drawer.

If the hearing aids aren’t working properly or if your parent isn’t satisfied, be a liaison between them and their hearing care professional. Don’t let your mom's or dad's concerns be ignored, or those hard-won hearing aids may end up in the junk drawer.

How to find a trusted hearing provider

Hearing aids are packed with modern technology that improves people’s lives every day. However, patient satisfaction depends heavily on patients’ relationships with their hearing care professionals, which include hearing instrument specialists and audiologists.

After you discuss their need for hearing help, find your parent a trusted hearing care professional nearby. In our directory, you can view hearing clinic profiles and read candid reviews from patients. Best of all: Hearing aids for your parents will be a gift for your whole family.