4 Tips to Discuss Hearing Loss with Your Dad, or a Male Figure in Your Life.

If you have an aging father who is losing his hearing, discussing the prospect of receiving hearing aids probably won’t be easy. Statistically, it’s more likely that men will need hearing aids than women. This usually comes down to the work environment that men usually spend time in, i.e. construction, loud industrial facilities, operating heavy machinery, etc.   

There are many reasons why some people decide not to wear hearing aids, but what should you do when your dad begins to show clear signs of hearing loss? Here are some tips to get a loved one so that they can get their hearing loss treated.

Recognize the Stigma that sometimes comes with Wearing Hearing Aids

Modern hearing aids can rest behind the ears, along your outer ear, or deep inside your ear canal. A lot of men tend to ignore obvious signs of hearing loss, so they may choose not to get hearing aids. Or, they may get hearing aids but won’t use them. The stigma of hearing aids was more widespread in the past, so it might be difficult for them to shift their mindset.  

Today, there are so many different styles of hearing aids that are powerful and discreet:

behind-the-ear (BTE)

in-the-ear (ITE)

in-the-canal (ITC)

completely-in-the-canal (CIC)

invisible-in-canal (IIC)

Why Some Men Don’t Want to Wear Hearing Aids

There are practical reasons for this:

• Some hearing aids might not work well in bustling environments.
• Batteries and other hearing aid accessories can be costly.
• Putting the hearing aids on, removing them, cleaning them, and adjusting them can be challenging for someone with dexterity issues.
• Some devices feel uncomfortable and could irritate the skin in your ears.

Depending on your hearing loss, the discreet ones may not work best for someone with severe or profound hearing loss. 

And there are emotional reasons for this:

• Women usually have long hair to cover their devices, whereas most men do not. 
• Some men prefer to maintain their image of potency and vitality.
• Some men feel that using hearing aids makes it obvious that they are losing an important function on their body.

4 Tips to Discuss Hearing Loss with Your Dad, or the Male Figure in Your Life

When you decide to sit down and talk about hearing loss with your dad, or an important man in your life, you need to have a strategy. 

1. Research information about hearing loss: He may appreciate it if you can give helpful and accurate information on hearing loss, treatment options, and how using hearing aids can be beneficial. Let him know that there are different and more discreet styles that are available.

2. Timing is everything: Make sure both of you are in a good mood before bringing up this topic. The conversation might be futile if one, or both of you are frustrated while talking about it. 

3. Raise awareness about the negative impacts of hearing loss: Rather than focusing his attention on his hearing loss, inform him on how the hearing loss impacts his daily life. Maybe he no longer participates in things with you, or anyone. Hearing loss can atrophy the brain, which can lead to Alzheimer’s and dementia.

4. Be patient, and help as much as you can: Find help for him. Take him to get a hearing test and help look at the options that are available for him. 

If you believe that you have a loved one who has hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. Our hearing healthcare providers are professional hearing instrument specialists who can program your devices to suit your individual listening needs. 

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