Other than the disorder itself, one of the most frustrating aspects of hearing loss for family and friends is the denial of the affected. Over time, family members and friends who convince the patient to consult with an audiologist may grow tired. Yes, they may grow tired, but worries about the patient’s safety cannot be simply wished away.

1. Other than the disorder itself, one of the most frustrating aspects
of hearing loss for family and friends is the denial of the affected.
Over time, family members and friends who convince the patient
to consult with an audiologist may grow tired. Yes, they may grow
tired, but worries about the patient’s safety cannot be simply
wished away.
Denial is a common reaction not only to hearing loss, but also to
other diseases. Sometimes, this reaction goes along with
irritability, negativity, anger, tension, stress, isolation, fatigue, and
depression. Unknowingly, this also diminishes the person’s
overall psychological health.

2. Those who deny their plight may gain an impression that
consulting with a specialist is an admittance of their problematic
health. Some don’t just feel comfortable wearing discount
hearing devices, as they think it’s ridiculous and embarrassing.
Most people enduring this problem don’t realize that it adds to the
burden
the
people around
them
are
already
carrying.
To
compensate,
they
will
normally ask
them to repeat
the
information,
unintentionally
making their
loved ones as
their
“new
ears.”Toleratin
g this is not an act of love, as it will eventually have a negative
impact on the deaf person’s quality of life.

3. So how does a family deal with hearing loss denial? First,
members should talk to the patient. They should do this without
sounding demanding and judgmental. When the concern is made
known and the
person still insists
that he has no
problem,
they
should encourage
him to do a selfvaluation. When
evaluating,
encourage him to
consider
the
questions below.
These questions
will catch him in
the
middle,
making no room
for more denying statements.
 Do long talks make you feel uncomfortable or irritable?
 Do you find it harder to listen to women’s voices than
men’s?

4.  Is it difficult for you to follow the conversations of the
characters in a movie or play?
 Do you have to ask people to repeat what they say
frequently?
 Is talking on the phone hard for you?
When the majority of the answers are “yes,” it’s time to convince
the person to consult with a specialist who will dispense advice
about ear care and choosing the right and low-cost hearing
devices. The family members may also encourage the patient
that wearing a hearing aid is very much like wearing eyeglasses.
It improves the quality of life and is nothing to be embarrassed
about.
SOURCES:
http://phb.secondsensehearing.com/content/hearing-loss-and-denial
http://deafness.about.com/od/laterhearingloss/a/lossdenial.htm
http://hear4less.com/home/pricing-now/