Why the Resistance to Getting Hearing Loss Diagnosed and Treated?

by | May 10, 2021 | Client Resources, Hearing Health, Hearing Loss

Resistance to hearing loss diagnosis and treatment often stems from the affected individual failing to recognize there is a problem.

If you have a loved one that is experiencing progressive hearing loss you may have been faced with some degree of resistance to get the issue assessed and properly handled. While this resistance may seem confusing, it is certainly not uncommon.

It is reported that on average it takes between 7 and 10 years for an individual with hearing loss to seek the appropriate assistance. It also estimated that less than 15% of adults over the age of 50 with hearing loss actually wear hearing aids to improve the situation.

Why is there such resistance to hearing aids?

Resistance to hearing loss diagnosis and treatment often stems from the affected individual failing to recognize there is a problem. Since hearing loss is generally a slow and gradual process it can be difficult to realize it is even happening. Whether the root of this inaction is negligence or denial, the result remains the same. Hearing loss continues to go untreated and the problem continues to get worse. It usually takes steady insistence and encouragement from a friend or family member before anything is done about it.

Justifications for Letting Hearing Loss Slide

People will come up with all sorts of reasons and excuses to avoid having to make significant life changes. When it comes to treating loss, typical rationalizations for avoiding the issue include:

  • The problem is not that bad
  • Hearing loss is a normal part of aging
  • Vanity
  • Cost

Downplaying the Issue

In many cases, people will evade the hearing loss issue because they feel that they can hear just fine. Justifications like “There is nothing wrong with my hearing if people would stop mumbling” are common. To some extent, this notion is true. People with hearing loss can still hear sounds, just not at all the necessary frequencies to be effective for communication. Age-related hearing loss tends to involve mixing up the sounds of consonants which poses a comprehension issue.

Hearing Loss is a Normal Part of Aging

While it is true that some degree of hearing loss typically occurs with age, it does not mean that there is nothing to be done about it. Hearing aids offer an excellent solution for hearing impairment to improve the range of hearing. The longer hearing loss goes untreated the more difficult it becomes to manage.

Vanity

There is still a bit of a lingering stigma that hearing aids are a sign of weakness or are unattractive. The tremendous advancements in hearing aid technology offers people a variety of options, some of which are barely visible.

Cost

There is no arguing that hearing aids can be expensive, along with the assessment fees that go along with addressing the problem. Affordable options are always available and mobile hearing services can be cost-effective and convenient.

Overcoming Resistance to Hearing Loss Treatment

There are many approaches that can be taken to help a loved one get past the denial stage of hearing loss. Some useful recommendations may be:

  • Stop enabling
    • Explain that you will no longer be accommodating in allowing the issue to continue to go unacknowledged
    • No more repeating yourself
    • No more raising your voice unnecessarily
    • No more acting as a third party interpreter
  • Identify and address the challenges
    • Making improvements to health is not always easy
    • Acknowledge that making changes is going to take a concerted effort but the results are worth it
  • Present the possible outcomes of untreated hearing loss
    • Permanent hearing loss
    • Loss of independence
    • Difficulty in maintaining social relationships
    • Increased risk of dementia
  • Present the benefits of hearing aids
    • Can restore hearing ability and range of frequency detection
    • Retrain the brain to understand sounds that were previously inaudible
    • Improved health and safety
    • Improved confidence
    • Better quality of daily living

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Jennifer Abbott

Jennifer Abbott brings over 25 years of experience in business. She has worked in multiple industries, including insurance brokerage, aviation, and health. Her career journey enabled her to acquire impeccable skills to help people find solutions in any situation. Jennifer is well travelled. She has lived and worked in Dubai for award-winning Emirates Airline. Jennifer has enjoyed working in a multicultural environment. Her offshore work empowered her to learn about various cultures from over 100 different nationalities. Upon her return home, Jennifer pursued her studies as a Hearing Aid Practitioner. While working in a hearing clinic, she became aware of some people’s challenges getting to their appointment. She realized that those people were not getting the proper hearing aid help they needed, which compromised their hearing. People’s struggles inspired her to establish the first unique 100% mobile hearing clinic in the lower mainland. As the founder of Hear at Home Mobile Hearing Clinic, Jennifer’s mission is to improve her client’s quality of life at any age. She has in-depth experience with hearing testing fitting, recommending hearing aids and working with older populations suffering from cognitive decline and Dementia.

    The Hear at Home Promise

    Our Pinky Promise to You

    • Your partner for life – as a locally owned and independent business, you’ll have the confidence that we’ll be here long into the future to be your hearing care partners for life. We’re not a pop-up business that will be gone tomorrow.
    • Access to all levels of technology – as an independent business, we will help you to find the right technology for your unique needs through our wide range of partnerships with major manufactures. Unlike many others, you’re not limited to just one manufacturer.
    • Honesty and integrity – our 14 year reputation has been built based on always doing the right thing. You’ll benefit from transparency, honesty and the highest levels of integrity.
    • Benefit from us helping thousands of local people – with thousands of delighted patients since 2009, you will benefit from partnering with the highest-rated team of hearing care experts in Greater Vancouver that have helped many others to achieve the outcomes that you’re looking for.