Communication Strategies with Hearing Loss
What kind of communicator are you? Do you tell people things easily, or do you keep your cards close? A recent study published in the journal of Ear and Hearing reveals that how you communicate about your hearing loss will have a big impact on your health and wellbeing.
Are you afraid to talk about your hearing loss with your family and friends? We know it can be hard to admit that your hearing isn’t what it used to be, and to ask for help. There are several disclosure strategies for starting this conversation. How you choose to talk about your hearing loss will have a big impact on the understanding and support you’ll receive from your loved ones.
Studies on Disclosure Strategies and Hearing Loss
The study, conducted by researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, broke communication styles into three categories. Are you in the group that has good health outcomes, or in one of the groups that suffers more from untreated hearing loss and strained relationships?
You Don’t Talk About Hearing Loss: Non-Disclosers
Non-disclosers are the group with the worst health outcomes. Let’s break it down. Non-disclosers refuse to address their hearing loss, and don’t admit they have difficulty hearing. Since no one knows they have hearing loss, family and friends are more likely to get annoyed when asked to repeat themselves, or when told they are mumbling. This group doesn’t disclose their hearing loss to anyone, and may even be in denial that they are struggling to hear.
You Only Talk About Hearing Loss Sometimes: Basis Disclosers
For basis disclosers, the topic of hearing loss only comes up in certain situations. They may share limited details about their hearing loss, but downplay the significance of what they’re facing, and don’t seek help. Basis disclosers have slightly better outcomes than non-disclosers, but still do not receive the family support that they need to overcome the side-effects of hearing loss.
You Talk About Hearing Loss Constructively: Multipurpose Disclosers
Multipurpose disclosers are open and honest about what they are facing. They admit they are struggling to hear, and talk about hearing loss whenever it’s affecting them. They brainstorm ways to improve communication, and have no problem asking someone to talk into their good ear, or move to a quieter room so they can hear you more clearly.
How to Get the Best Outcomes
If you’re not a multipurpose discloser, work on ways to be more open with your communication! We know it can be a hard topic to bring up, but keeping silent about your hearing loss means you won’t get the support you need to be happy and healthy. Try it at home with your loved ones. You may not believe it now, but you’ll soon see that they want what’s best for you, and are willing to accommodate you in whatever way possible.
This will give you confidence to disclose your hearing loss to friends in other social settings. It may seem embarrassing to ask your friend to turn down the music at a dinner party, but when they realize you are struggling with hearing loss, they are sure to help. Your loved ones want you to be able to participate fully in the conversation, and have a fun night. Improve your communication with others, and become a multipurpose discloser.
Don’t be afraid to talk about your hearing loss. Your family and friends want what’s best for you, and will help you make good decisions not only for your hearing, but also for your relationships and your health. With open and honest communication, you’ll have improved mental, emotional and physical outcomes, increased independence, and a renewed sense of belonging. If your hearing loss is making it difficult to communicate, it’s time to talk about it!
For more information on hearing loss and to schedule a hearing consultation, contact us at Desert Valley Audiology.
Desert Valley Audiology
Proudly serving Las Vegas and Henderson
(702) 605-9133