Why I Chose Hearing Care?
I loved all my grandparents, but I was especially close to my mum’s dad-my Grandpop. He was a proud, soft-hearted ex-miner, although quite strict on the surface.
When I was about 12, he let me mow the lawns around his house. I did such a good job that he started giving me pocket money to do it every weekend. I’d go over on Saturday night, watch Match of the Day with him, stay over, and cut the grass on Sunday—weather permitting.
That’s when I noticed something: he wore a hearing aid. But only for TV. It was a body aid—a big box hidden under his jumper, connected to his ear by a wire. It whistled constantly, though he couldn’t hear it. Eventually, he started using it more often, especially in company. It became a bit of a family joke: “Turn it down—it’s whistling again!”
Understanding Struggles of Hearing Impaired
Years later, while I was in college, Grandpop was admitted to George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton. I passed by on my way to class and visited him nearly every day. One day, he broke down in tears for no apparent reason.
He asked me to pull the curtain around his bed for privacy. Then he cried out, “I’m fed up with this hearing aid! I can’t hear people, but when I turn it up, they shout at me. I may as well not be here.”
Those words hit hard. He’d kept his frustration hidden from the family. He felt “daft” and embarrassed because he was deaf. That moment changed my life. It inspired me to dedicate myself to hearing care—and I’ve now been in the field for over 25 years.
Don’t Let This Happen in Your Family
Hearing loss doesn’t just affect the hearing impaired—it impacts their families and social lives too. If someone you love struggles to hear, you might feel frustrated repeating yourself. But are you making it easier for them to communicate?
They didn’t choose hearing loss. It’s not their fault. Miscommunication can lead to stress and emotional distance between loved ones. I’ve seen this countless times as an audiologist.
How You Can Help the Hearing Impaired
Effective communication is a shared responsibility. Even when the hearing impaired use hearing aids and listening strategies, your effort matters too.
Here are practical ways you can improve communication:
- Face the listener directly in good lighting. Avoid backlighting that makes lipreading difficult.
- Get to their level if they’re seated—especially for wheelchair users.
- Don’t talk from another room. Make sure they can see your face when you speak.
- Say their name first to get their attention before starting a conversation.
- Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Avoid overly complex sentences or rushing through your words.
- Keep your hands away from your mouth. Don’t eat or smoke while talking.
- Know their stronger ear, if they have one, and position yourself accordingly.
- Minimise background noise. Turn off TVs or music and avoid noisy environments when possible.
- Avoid sudden topic changes. Let them know when you’re switching subjects.
- Use group conversation etiquette. Speak one at a time and repeat key information if needed.
- Rephrase rather than repeat. If they don’t understand you, try saying it differently.
- Write things down when necessary—like times, addresses, or phone numbers.
- Pay attention to body language. A puzzled look may mean they didn’t understand. Gently clarify.
Managing Conversations in Noisy Environments
Group settings, busy restaurants, or large halls can be overwhelming for the hearing impaired. Background noise makes it hard to follow conversations.
If possible:
- Go out during off-peak hours to avoid crowds.
- Request a quieter seat away from kitchens, speakers, or bars.
- Choose a booth—the high backs can reduce noise.
- Move closer to the person with hearing loss so your voice is clearer and your face is easier to see.
Avoid environments with sharp or loud sounds, as some individuals are very sensitive to noise.
The Emotional Toll of Hearing Loss
Some people are open about their hearing issues and ask for help. Others suffer in silence—feeling isolated, anxious, or exhausted from trying to keep up. Conversations can feel like hard work. Over time, this can lead to withdrawal from social life.
Remember: when someone feels left out or misunderstood, their emotional well-being suffers too.
We’re Here for the Hearing Impaired—and Their Families
At Hear4U, we understand both the physical and emotional challenges of hearing loss. Our experienced audiologists, tinnitus counsellors, and earwax removal specialists offer compassionate, expert care. Whether you need a new hearing aid, support at home, or just someone to talk to—we’re here to help.
With flexible pricing and service levels, we make hearing care accessible to everyone—including housebound clients.
