How to Support a Loved One Who Is Experiencing Hearing Loss

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

a doctor helping fit a man with hearing aids

As we get older, we're more at risk of hearing loss. Statistics show that one in three people over age 60 have some degree of hearing loss. And that number jumps to one in two people for those 85 and older. Because hearing loss often develops gradually, people don’t always notice how much it’s impacting them.

Being on the outside, it’s easier to see what’s going on. Having a loved one who is dealing with a decline in their ability to hear can be overwhelming. Here are some ways to support them.

1. Be patient and understanding

Hearing loss can come with an array of emotions. People can feel angry, confused, upset, in denial, sad and beyond. It may also take someone experiencing hearing loss a while to learn how to cope. Support from loved ones is critical during this time. Show up with support, be willing to listen and be patient and understanding. It may be obvious to you what is going on but may take the other person longer to accept what they are going through. You might not always know the perfect thing to say but being available to listen can go a long way in showing your love.

2. Encourage them to seek help

Many cases of hearing loss can be treated. But statistics show that only 20% of individuals who might benefit from treatment for hearing loss actually seek out help. Untreated hearing loss can lead to depression, anxiety and other psychological disorders. There is also a strong link between unaddressed hearing loss and dementia. Thus, it’s important to seek out treatment when symptoms arise. Around 80% of hearing loss cases can be treated with hearing aids, but only one in four adults who need them actually wear them. Talk with your loved ones who are going through hearing loss and encourage them to go see an audiologist to have their hearing tested.

3. Learn together

Hearing loss can be uncharted territory to navigate, and the concept may be new for you and the person going through it. Volunteer to accompany them to an appointment and help them put together a list of questions for the doctor prior to going in. Research different types of hearing aids and go with them to try some on. And tell them not to be afraid to come to you with any help they may need.

4. Communicate more clearly with them

Many times we’re used to talking as we’re walking across the room without paying much attention to the person we are conversing with. But adjusting your speaking habits can help someone going through hearing loss to understand you better. Try the following:

Speak clearly.
Try to speak in a normal tone of voice and refrain from shouting, which can make you harder to understand.
Get the person’s attention before speaking, whether that’s tapping them on the arm or waiting for eye contact to be established.
Choose quieter rooms to talk in. Eliminate background noise from crowds, the television or traffic passing by.
Take breaks in the conversation. Hearing loss can mean it takes extra effort for someone to listen to what you are saying. Give the conversation a break to let them catch up and process.
Make eye contact when speaking and make your mouth visible (avoid talking when wearing masks or when holding a glass up to your mouth or chewing, for instance). This gives people the opportunity to read your lips, which can help them to hear what you are saying better.
If they miss something you say, try rephrasing it a different way.

5. Help them to embrace technology

There are many different types of technology on the market that can help someone with hearing loss. Learn about this technology and help a loved one with hearing loss embrace these types of services. Here are a few things to try:

Turn on closed captioning on their television or during a Zoom video call
Help them download an app like Dragon, Otter or LiveTranscribe. When someone speaks into these apps, they transcribe the audio into text for a hearing-impaired person to read.
Show them how to use accessibility features on their devices if they haven’t used them before. Smartphones and tablets, for instance, have built-in settings that perform services like live caption social media videos, perform LED flash alerts in place of audio ones and help people to identify sounds like dogs barking or a doorbell ringing.

6. Connect them to resources

There are many resources that can help a person dealing with hearing loss understand what is going on and learn about their options. You can direct someone with hearing loss to places like:

Hearing Loss Association of America, which has information on hearing loss and treatments and local support groups for people to join.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Support groups and tips on how to take charge of your communication

You can also help them to find local support groups (ask their audiologist for recommendations) and to seek out the help of a mental health therapist who specializes in hearing loss if they are struggling to adjust. Some audiology practices may even host or be able to refer you to classes or workshops designed for patients and families learning to navigate hearing loss together.

Hearing loss can be a challenging thing for someone to navigate. It can be equally as challenging for a friend or family member supporting them. By lending a listening ear, offering to learn together and encouraging them to seek treatment, you can make a meaningful difference in how they adjust and stay connected to the world around them.