There are lots of ways to help a friend. You can pick them up from the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, watch their cats when they’re out of town or, if they’re among the 15% of adults with hearing loss,[1] support them on their treatment journey.
Let’s look at a few ways you can support your friend with hearing loss along their treatment journey.
Offer To Attend Their Hearing Aid Appointment
Not every doctor’s appointment needs to be attended alone; there may even be perks to attending some of them with a friend. A 2022 study found that patients who attended their hearing aid appointment with a loved one were more likely to successfully adopt their devices.[2] The closer the relationship was, the higher their chance of success.
Another interesting finding from the study underscores the importance of a support system. The study found that patients who reported greater access to a social support system were also more likely to report greater hearing aid satisfaction.
Offering your support, whether you’re taking notes, giving your opinion on hearing aid color choices or just encouraging your loved one verbally, can make a positive difference in their treatment journey.
Lend an Ear
You can’t solve your friend’s hearing loss. But you can help them process it. If your friend wants to rant or rage, the simple act of listening to them can do wonders. Taking your friend out for an iced latte or nabbing some alone time at home where they can talk freely will help them feel seen and supported.
Learn About Hearing Loss
Most people don’t know much about what causes hearing loss, what it’s like to live with the condition or how treating it with hearing aids benefits a patient’s life. Put aside some time to read a few of our blogs, do some research or make an appointment for your own hearing test at SoundLogic.
Remember, don’t underestimate the impact your support can have. If a friend of yours is dealing with hearing loss, attending their appointments with them, listening when they need you to and staying educated can lift some of the weight off their shoulders.
[1] National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (n.d.). *Quick statistics about hearing*. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing
[2] Ellis, B. K., Singh, G., & Launer, S. (2022). Hearing Aid Adoption is Associated with the Type of Significant Other in Attendance at Hearing Care Appointments. Trends in hearing, 26, 23312165221131703. https://doi.org/10.1177/23312165221131703