Getting hearing aids can be an exciting journey, but you and your partner share the experience. Valentine’s Day is a good reminder that support from a loved one can make all the difference. If your partner has hearing loss, you might feel unsure about how to help, but your presence and encouragement matter more than you think. Offering your support can even help make their hearing aid adoption easier.
The Importance of Your Support
A study from 2022 found that attending your partner’s hearing aid appointment significantly increased their likelihood of hearing aid adoption, even more so than attending with a family member or friend.
A few ways you can offer your support include:
- Help them process. A hearing loss diagnosis can stir a lot of emotions, some unpleasant, like anger or sadness, and some happier, like excitement at getting hearing aids. Talking through these emotions is one of the best ways you can help your partner.
- Ask questions and take notes. Before the appointment, make a list of questions you or your partner has about the hearing aid process. During the visit, ask the hearing specialist these questions and take notes on your partner’s behalf. This allows your partner to focus on listening and understanding, instead of trying to write everything down.
- Be patient during the first few weeks. The first few weeks of wearing hearing aids can feel overwhelming. Your partner may find the new sounds unfamiliar or even intrusive after spending so much time without hearing them. Be mindful of this adjustment period and offer quiet moments when they need them.
- Read aloud. The brain is a muscle. Just like your legs will struggle with a five-mile run around McFall Park after a period without regular exercise, your brain can struggle to comprehend speech after months or years of untreated hearing loss. Reading aloud is a form of auditory training that reintroduces speech to your partner in a clear and engaging way.
Schedule an Appointment
If your partner is ready to begin their hearing aid journey, there’s one more simple way you can support them: help schedule their appointment. Calling Advantage ENT & Audiology to book a visit with one of our specialists takes that final step off their plate and helps them start with confidence.