5 Tips for Helping Someone You Love with Hearing Loss
Nov 15, 2021

5 Tips for Helping Someone You Love with Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is something that affects many people all over the world. It often will happen gradually, but it can be hard to deal with for the person whose hearing has changed. If you have a loved one who you believe is losing their hearing, you want to help them as much as you can, but you also want them to feel comfortable too. Below are five tips you can use to make things easier on both of you.

 

Do Some Research

Before you start trying to help someone who has hearing loss, you want to have some information yourself. It’s a good idea to have some statistics when you go and talk to your loved one, so they know they’re not alone. Some facts are easy to read on sites such as The National Institute on Deafness, and these will make excellent talking points for the possibly awkward conversation you’re going to have.

 

Suggest That They Have Their Hearing Checked

There’s a good chance that the person is going to resist when you make this recommendation. They may be worried about the cost of a hearing test and whether their health insurance will cover this. To help with alleviating their anxiety, you could also suggest that you’ll get tested too. This can help ease the situation and bring them comfort in a possibly distressing time. If they say they’ll do it, you may have to schedule the tests with their family doctor and get a referral to an audiologist.

They also might be embarrassed about having this test done. But you can assure them that no one has to know they’re having a test unless they tell them.

 

Adjust Your Communication Style

People who have hearing issues are going to have trouble understanding and hearing those around them. If you are talking to them and you stand facing them in a well-lit room, the person is going to be able to understand you much better. Maintain your eye contact with them. Don’t exaggerate your lip movements or voice. You should instead try speaking at a reasonable pace. If you don’t feel as if they can understand what you are saying, try rephrasing what you’ve said. Speaking differently isn’t the same as merely repeating yourself, which you might do if you’re talking to a young child. It’s also essential to use their name to make sure you have their attention. You don’t want to put your hand close to your mouth while speaking. It’s also a good idea to let them know when you’re changing the topic. This will help the person who has hearing loss and makes them less frustrated.

 

Be Sensitive and Empathetic

Remember, your loved one’s self-confidence might be affected by their hearing loss. If you bring up the hearing loss at the wrong time, you might make them feel more depressed or isolated. A lot of seniors already know that their hearing is going, and they wish that it wasn’t happening to them because they feel out of control. When you broach the topic, make sure you’re conveying your concern and love. Try to avoid being pushy. Being empathetic is essential if you want to show the person that you know how vital their dignity and independence is to them. If you don’t be careful and handle the conversation slowly, allowing the person to process the things you’re saying, there’s a good possibility it’s not going to go well. They may feel frustrated and change the topic.

 

Be an Advocate for Hearing Loss

Anytime the person who has a hearing loss goes to a family gathering or social function; there’s a good chance that they are going to feel uneasy. If you can, stay available for these types of events. It will also only take a few minutes to email or text other people at the event and let them know that you’re bringing someone who has a hearing loss. Share some tips for smooth communication with the person. But you should also be careful when you think about who you’re telling so that the person doesn’t feel embarrassed.

These are five tips that you can use when it comes to helping someone you love with a hearing loss. Remember that this is a hard time for them and that they are dealing with something challenging. They need your love and support right now.

Do you need some help approaching the subject, or want to schedule a hearing test? Contact us at Johnson Audiology. We are always happy to help you and your loved one with all your hearing health concerns. Call us at 423-954-7994 and let us know how we can help. It will make a big difference.


By Jan Hollingsworth 09 Jan, 2024
Johnson Audiology is pleased to announce that the practice will be moving one of its Chattanooga area offices from its current location on Gunbarrel Road to a new location at 6830 Lee Highway. The move will take place January 15. “We are extremely excited to be re-locating to a much larger space later this month,” Dr. Megan Johnson, founder and owner of the award-winning practice, says. “About a year ago, we realized that we needed more room to meet the needs of our growing patient base so we could help even more people with hearing loss. We sought a place that would allow us to stay in the East Brainerd/Hamilton Place area so that the office would still be conveniently located for patients. Our Hixson office will remain at 5617 Highway 153, Suite 203 and is also being upgraded with a second sound booth and beautiful new decor. These two strategically located offices mean that we can continue to serve patients who live east and west of the Tennessee River.” Dr. Johnson says that when she identified the building on Lee Highway, she knew it was an ideal site for this next growth leap. “Our company culture is anchored on the premise of always offering an exceptional patient experience,” she says. “Thanks to our wonderful family of Johnson Audiology patients, we have outgrown our current office and have found the perfect location for offering the best care to even more of our Chattanooga neighbors.” The new location offers many positive features that will benefit patients: The office is conveniently located off Lee Highway in the area between Shallowford Road and Hickory Valley Road, directly behind Dr. Keith B. Dressler’s orthodontic practice. It is a stand-alone office that is not shared with any other businesses. The building is more than 4,000 square feet, which is double the space of the current office on Gunbarrel Road. The added square footage will accommodate a spacious patient welcome and reception area, three sound booths for hearing testing, and a private area for patient check-out. The building has exam rooms for four full time audiologists and an audiology assistant, a large front desk area, and a sizeable lab for hearing aid maintenance and repair. The office has ample space for the practice’s growing Cochlear Implant (CI) Program with a dedicated sound booth and exam area just for CI patients. The building design allows for easy circular patient flow throughout the office. The building has a dedicated, 20-space parking lot just for Johnson Audiology patients and additional parking for Johnson Audiology staff. Dr. Johnson mentions that the building was a non-medical office previously, so updates were needed to bring it up to par for a bustling hearing health care clinic. It currently is being remodeled, and the parking lot resurfaced. “We have plans to transition to the new building by January 15 with some final touches to the office’s aesthetics continuing through the spring,” she says.  Dr. Johnson wishes to assure folks that measures are in place to alleviate disruption to the service patients receive during this time and thanks patients in advance for their continued support and understanding during the transition. “The new office is going to be incredible!” she says. Initial correspondence has been delivered to patients about the move. Dr. Johnson says, “Patients who have appointments scheduled in early January or those who need walk-in service for hearing aid maintenance and supplies from now until January 15 should continue visiting the Gunbarrel Road location.” Dr. Johnson says, “In February, we will invite our friends and neighbors in the Chattanooga community to an open house celebration, where we will do an official reveal of the new space!” Johnson Audiology has been faithfully serving the citizens of Chattanooga since the practice opened its doors on October 1, 2009. “As we prepare to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year, the new office location on Lee Highway and the upgrades to the Hixson office are evidence of our commitment to patients.” Dr. Johnson goes on to say, “Chattanoogans have named Johnson Audiology Best of the Best in the category of Favorite Audiologist and Hearing Aid Clinic for 11 years straight. And they consistently name Johnson Audiology in the top three in the category of Best Customer Service among all Chattanooga businesses. We seek to live up to those accolades daily!” Dr. Johnson concludes, “One of our patients, Mr. Van Tenpenny, recently had this to say about us: ‘My visit to Johnson Audiology has been life changing! After decades of hearing loss, I am able to hear normal conversations in any environment.’ It is our highest ideal to be here for Mr. Tenpenny and the thousands of other patients like him who prioritize their hearing for the best quality of life.” Do you want to get on the road to healthy hearing? Johnson Audiology is currently accepting new patients at all locations. Call today to schedule an appointment or book online at www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule.
15 Aug, 2023
Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in the ears, is a common auditory phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. While tinnitus is not a disease itself, it can be a symptom of an underlying issue. At Johnson Audiology, we are committed to helping you understand tinnitus and guiding you through the steps to manage this often-distressing condition. Understanding Tinnitus Tinnitus can vary in intensity and pitch, and it may present as a constant sound or come and go intermittently. It can be caused by a range of factors, including exposure to loud noise, age-related hearing loss, earwax blockage, and even certain medications. Tinnitus can impact your quality of life, leading to sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and emotional distress. Steps to Manage Tinnitus Consult an Audiologist: If you're experiencing tinnitus, the first step is to seek professional help. A university-trained audiologist, a hearing health specialist, can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus and its impact on your hearing. Identify Underlying Causes: Tinnitus often has an underlying cause, such as hearing loss, a medical condition, or exposure to loud noise. An audiologist can help identify these causes and recommend appropriate treatment options. Customized Treatment Plans: Based on the evaluation, your audiologist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Treatment approaches may include: Hearing Aids: If hearing loss is contributing to your tinnitus, hearing aids can help by amplifying external sounds and reducing the perception of the tinnitus. More than 90% of those who have tinnitus, also, have hearing loss, even if the loss is mild. Sound Therapy: Sound therapy involves using external sounds, such as white noise or nature sounds, to mask or distract from the tinnitus noise. Counseling: Counseling and education can help you better understand tinnitus and learn coping strategies to manage its impact on your daily life. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): TRT combines sound therapy and counseling to help you habituate to the tinnitus and reduce its perception over time. Lifestyle Modifications: Your audiologist may recommend lifestyle changes, such as managing stress, avoiding loud noise exposure, and adopting healthy sleep habits. Monitor and Adjust: Tinnitus management is an ongoing process. Regular follow-up appointments with your audiologist allow for adjustments to treatment plans based on your progress and changing needs. Seek Support: Tinnitus can be emotionally distressing. It is important to seek support from friends, family, and even support groups where you can connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges. While tinnitus can be disruptive, understanding the condition and taking proactive steps to manage it can lead to improved quality of life. At Johnson Audiology, our dedicated team of audiologists is here to guide you through the journey of tinnitus management, providing the expertise and support you need to find relief and regain control over your hearing health. Contact us today to take the first step toward a more peaceful and harmonious auditory experience.
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