If someone you know has a hearing loss, you can play a key role in helping them to overcome it.

• Be patient
  It is very easy to get frustrated with someone who has a hearing loss. After all, you're probably having to repeat yourself to them and having to endure an over-loud television. By being patient you show them that you are 'on their side', which will mean that they'll be more willing to ask you for help in doing something about their hearing loss.
• Assure them they're not being a nuisance
  Overcoming a hearing loss takes time. Unfortunately many people give up during the process of overcoming because they feel they are making a nuisance of themself when they are struggling. They must be willing to ask for help when they need it, whether the help is from you or Broom Reid & Harris. They are not being a nuisance to us, and it's sometimes helpful to remind them of that.
• Don't shout!
  It is natural to assume that because someone is having difficulty hearing you, all you need to do is raise your voice. This gives someone with a hearing loss two main problems:
  • Firstly, if you shout you can't easily smile so it looks as though you're angry at them, and remember that when you can't hear properly visual clues become very important - so it's important to watch your body language.
  • Secondly, most people with a hearing loss can hear you talking perfectly well... they just can't understand! That's because when we speak, all the vowel sounds are actually quite loud, but the consonants (with distinguish one word from another, e.g. 'tin' and 'thin') are very quiet. So when you shout, it actually makes the sound uncomfortable for them without giving them the clarity. Instead, try raising your voice slightly.
• Speak clearly (but not exagerratedly) and let them see you
  Visual clues such as the shape of your lips as you speak and your facial expressions will them to get the context of what you're saying. Their brain will be able to fill in the gaps.
• Don't expect too much too soon
  Even with a top-of-the-range, state-of-the-art hearing instrument it takes time for someone to get used to wearing and using it. Remember that it won't be 'instant success' and you need to encourage them to keep using it so their brain gets used to interpreting the sounds that are being fed to it. Today will always be better than yesterday, and tomorrow will be better than today... so again, be patient. Their hearing will never be completely restored because their hearing system is physically damaged but the brain is extremely clever, as are modern hearing aids, and over a period of months they will learn to work together. But it takes time.
• If they have a problem, encourage them to tell us
  We can only help if we know about the problem. They may be tempted to say "Oh, it's me. I'm the problem," so consequently they struggle on until eventually the expensive hearing aid ends up unused in a drawer. Instead, encourage them to tell us what the problem is. It may be a simple matter of reprogramming their hearing aid.
• Offer to go with them to have their hearing tested
  People with a hearing loss can become inward-looking because they find conversation difficult and aren't as aware of what's going on around them. Because of that there's sometimes a tendency to avoid situations that aren't familiar to them in case they embarrass themeselves or get dis-orientated. That includes a situation like having their hearing tested.You can be the support they need to go into this unknown territory.
• Find out a bit about hearing loss
  We've tried to put a lot of useful information up here on our site without making it overwhelming. By finding out about hearing loss you will be able to answer their questions and persuade them that it is 'normal' and that it can be helped. Your input is invaluable in helping them to accept their need for help. After all, the more you talk about something, the more familiar it becomes and it makes the next step that much easier.
• Let your encouragement to do something about it be gentle
  When they decide to do something about it, it should be because they want to - not because they've had emotional pressure put on them or they want some peace from the constant nagging. There's a very practical reason for this: if it's not their decision then they will not put their heart into overcoming their hearing loss: their hearing aid will end up stuck in a drawer unused.

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