Family Support

Approximately one tenth of the population suffer from some degree of hearing loss. The number is so large that either directly or indirectly each of us is affected.

You, the family, play a crucial role in helping meet the emotional and psychological needs of the hearing impaired. It is a role filled with understanding and support.

Here are a few suggestions to guide you in making this adjustment to amplification easier and more pleasant for the hearing aid user.

There is a tendency to speak loudly, even to shout, when communicating with a hearing impaired person. Once that person has been fitted with a hearing aid, a loud voice can actually make understanding more difficult.

The hearing aid provides the amplification. If you want to be understood, it is best to speak at a normal level.

When the hearing aid user is in the process of adjusting to the aid it may be necessary to speak slowly and a bit more distinctly than usual. But don't overdo this!

Try to speak to the hearing aid user's face. Your eyes, expressions and gestures are important in communicating. Be sure you have the attention of the person before you try to communicate.

Many of us have grown used to introducing distractions to our speech. We talk with our mouths full. We cover our mouths when we speak. We smoke. All of these things make us harder to understand.

Background noise can be a distraction too if the hearing aid user is learning how to sort out important sounds from the background... a difficult task for anyone.

Whenever we find that we have not been understood, it's wise to rephrase our comment rather than parrot the same words over and over again. Different words or different phrases may be more easily understood.

There are times when hearing may be more difficult than usual for a hearing aid user. They often don't hear as well or understand as easily when tired or ill. These are times when patience and clear speech are particularly important.

Your attitudes can discourage the use of a hearing aid or they can help the hearing impaired person realize its fullest benefits.

Your support and sincere encouragement are just as important as the hearing aid itself, because without a family adjustment to its use, it may fall into disuse and then there are no benefits at all.