SLO LIFE Magazine AugSep 2021

SPONSORED
ENCOURAGING
A LOVED ONE
TO TEST THEIR
HEARING
Peter A. Lucier
Hearing Instrument Specialist
Did you know that one in three people over the age of 65 experience some degree of hearing loss? Chances
are, there is someone in your life who experiences a hearing loss and might not even know it yet. As an invisible
condition, hearing loss affects many different areas of one’s life but is not immediately understood as the root
of the problem. If you believe that your loved one may have a hearing loss, it is important to encourage them
to take a hearing test. Hearing tests are simple and painless, and they provide useful information on a person’s
hearing abilities. Because hearing loss is a sensitive topic, here are a few tips for the conversation.
Do Your Research: Studies are published about how hearing loss affects
your cognitive abilities (Johns Hopkins University), how untreated hearing loss
may lead to lower earning power, and how hearing loss has been linked to an
increased risk of accidents and falls. Before talking to your loved one, make
sure you have the facts straight. Check to see the signs and symptoms of
hearing loss match what you experience with your loved one. Arm yourself with
useful facts about hearing loss that could help encourage your loved one to
take a hearing test.
Find a Quiet Time and Place: Hearing loss makes speech recognition
difficult. With hearing loss, people may ask others to repeat themselves or they
may check out completely if they cannot compete with background noise to
hear. For this reason, it is important to have your conversation in quiet place.
Moreover, hearing loss may be a taboo subject for some. Rather than gathering a
huge group of people – which may put your loved one on the defensive – have a
one on one conversation so that you can clearly communicate your concerns.
Speak from Your Own Experiences: Data show that the mere process of
aging can often result in social isolation. Add hearing issues to the mix, and those
with untreated loss pose higher risks for finding themselves in a dark corner.
They may feel abandoned by the family, ignored by friends, and excluded from
activities, all because they cannot hear well enough in these social situations.
Talk about the Benefits of Treating Hearing
Loss: Treating hearing loss helps people stay in
touch with their loved ones and to their communities.
Studies indicate that people who do not treat their
hearing loss have a smaller “life space”—they are
not as mobile as people who treat their hearing or
have normal hearing. Hearing loss interferes with the
ability to drive and communicate, and also leads to a
higher rate of accidents and falls. By treating hearing
loss, your loved one would be investing in their own
independence and security.
Support Your Loved One: Taking a hearing test
is a simple and painless procedure, but of course
there’s more to it than that. Ensure your loved one
that you will be there to support them on their journey
to better hearing—from making the appointment, to
accompanying them to the hearing test, and—if a
hearing loss is detected—helping them adjust to their
new hearing aids. To begin the process, schedule a
consultation, or talk to a hearing expert, contact us at
Hearing Aid specialists of the Central Coast today.
Peter A. Lucier, has been a practicing Hearing Instrument Specialists for 22 years.
If you would like more information, please contact us today for an appointment.
78 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | AUG/SEP 2021
HEARING AID SPECIALISTS OF THE CENTRAL COAST, INC.
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