The holiday season is well on its way, which means more family gatherings and loud environments for you and your loved ones. Maybe you’ve been wanting to approach the subject of cochlear implants with a family member affected by hearing loss for some time now, but it feels like a daunting conversation, even with the season of gathering nearly here. Whether they’ve been wearing hearing aids for a while or just recently experiencing the effects of hearing loss, a loved one’s personal hearing health is an important subject. You love your family member, but the conversation is awkward: what is the best way to bring up a hearing solution? How can you get started? You may be a spouse wanting to encourage healthier communication between you and your partner. You may be the child of an individual with hearing loss, desperate for them to finally head to the audiologist’s office. The question remains: how can you show your loved one you care about them and want them to take the first step in their hearing journey? Here are three tips below on how you can start the conversation and help your family member decide if a hearing implant is the right step for them, but most of all, to show them how much you’re ready to support the next step of their journey:
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Start the conversation with empathy
When approaching the conversation about hearing loss, it’s a good idea to start by sharing your concern for your loved one’s well-being. If hearing aids aren’t helping them feel like they’re living their life at 100%, then they may need help acknowledging that it’s time to take the next step. With the holidays coming up, let them know you notice when they’re quieter around the dinner table. Let them know you’re aware that they’ve taken a step back from participating in traditions and conversations that they used to love. Showing them that they have been seen and understood could mean the world to your loved one.
Provide them with information about hearing loss and show them how cochlear implants work. Most of all, deciding to move forward with cochlear implants is a big decision: show them that you’ll be there for them every step of the way.
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Share Success Stories
Hearing about others’ successful experiences with cochlear implants can be encouraging. Share stories of individuals who have regained their ability to hear and how it has positively impacted their lives: we feature plenty on our Cochlear website! Whether you’re looking to reconnect with music like Rudy or wanting to fully participate in life again like Bec, this page can help to alleviate any fears or concerns your loved one may have about the procedure and the outcomes.
Not only that, but we have Cochlear volunteers ready to provide information and encouragement to both you and your loved one. Cochlear volunteers have been in the exact same position as your loved one: confused, frustrated, not knowing where to turn. Connect your loved one with a mentor who can help guide them towards a hearing solution. They may even find similarities in their lives that you won’t be able to provide from your own experience. This will help your loved one feel like they aren’t alone!
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Offer Support Throughout the Journey
Your relationship with your family member is the driving force here: you want them to be happy and to be able to live their life without boundaries. Show this person your motivations behind the conversation, but most importantly, let your loved one know that you will be there for them every step of the way. It can be nerve-wracking approaching a new phase in the hearing journey, but if you offer to accompany them to appointments, help with research, and be a listening ear, they’ll no doubt feel comforted and cared for.
Your loved one’s life is not the only thing affected by hearing loss—you have been affected as well. Because of that, it’s important to show that they are not alone in this journey and that you will support them in making the best decision for their hearing health.
You know your loved one better than anyone else, and leading these conversations with sensitivity and support will no doubt show them how much you care about them. Deciding to take the first step in their hearing journey is a big one, but showing them how much you care about their well being and way of life will no doubt mean the world to them.
You want your family member to be able to share more conversations, more laughter, and more connection with you: we don’t blame you! This holiday season, start the conversation using the above tips, and if you need more courage, watch this video below about loved ones who have been a part of their family member’s hearing journeys from day 1.
If you are a loved one and you would like to learn more about cochlear implants, head to our Hearing Wins page to learn more about implantable solutions and how to talk to your family member about taking the first step in their journey. If you believe that you are a candidate for cochlear implants, please use our Clinic Finder Tool to find the nearest facility in your area.
1 2- Remote Check for Nucleus sound processors is intended for ages 6 and older. Remote Check features are only visible and accessible if they are enabled by a clinician. Clinicians should consider the suitability of the feature before enabling Remote Check. Remote Check does not replace clinical care and does not involve remote programming of the sound processor. Only available at clinics that have enrolled in Remote Care.
- For a full list of smartphone and app compatible devices, visit: www.cochlear.com/compatibility.
