We have to talk very loud in order to speak to dad and the TV has to be at the highest volume. How can we get him to use his hearing aids?

My Mother and husband both have hearing loss. Mother's is "selective", as she is passive-aggressive, and husband is still working and very active, but lost his hearing aids. I find that hearing loss makes certain individuals very self-centered (in their heads!) and not willing to compromise with audio situations. They want YOU to be sensitive of them, but they do not care about others having to listen to blaring TV, radio, etc.
Give him an ultimatum--wear the aids while the rest of family is present, or watch tv in his room with the door closed. Is that mean?

OK... for the 'other side' of the coin. For elders with hearing problems, sometimes the 'quiet' is the peace they need. In our VERY audible world, there is MUCH going on. Dogs barking, TV blaring (their choice, but still), people talking, or arguing, or laughing (and they don't know why) or crying children, video games, traffic, sirens, etc. Add ANY confusion to the mix and they can be overwhelmed easily!

If they won't wear their hearing aids, have the DOCTOR check them for defects or even a proper fitting. There can be many reasons for NOT wanting to wear them. p.s. Have you ever tried to wear a hearing aid? Try putting ear plugs in your ear. Not always comfortable. A correct fit may be all that is needed. There are even more comfortable 'models' that make it easier to wear these devices. Having them properly 'set' will help too.

NOW.. about the blaring tv. GET THEM HEADPHONES! :)wireless headphones are a GREAT Christmas present, and are LIGHT and easily worn and used. For under $40 they can listen to TV at the volume they need it at, and you can hear yourself think! These were a GODSEND when Mom was here with us.

And if all else fails, get foam ear plugs for everyone else!! So visits are not too frustrating. OR suggest going for a 'ride' to keep them noise at a minimum. LOL (Just kidding).

There may be a good reason for them not wanting to wear the hearing aid, but perhaps a quiet conversation telling them that you don't want them to miss important information or family moment may help even more.

God Bless. And Happy Holidays!

When you shout to be heard and tolerate the tv volume, you're enabling him not to use his hearing aids -- so doing that contradicts "asking" him to use them! So no, it's not mean, it's consistent. But do find out what he doesn't like about his hearing aids and try to address it. Maybe they're uncomfortable or he doesn't know how to adjust them.

My dad has lived with us for almost 3 years and he is 97 now and very hard of hearing. My husband has a cochlear impant and the loud TV was unbearable. So...we bought TV EARS and all three of us use them. Dad can be as loud as he wants, my husband can actually hear clearer with the ears, I started out just using them to make dad happy. But....at 75 I would say that I am somewhat deaf also and hear better with the ears!! Then when the telephone rings only one person answers with no other noise in the room. Very nice. Also we are no wrecking our Lab's ears with really loud noise.

coolbuss

I had the same problem with my Step Dad. He would CONSTANTLY elevate and lessen the pitch and volume. All day long. I tried all the right things in order to get him to better care for Mom and I, but he continued to prove he could care less about our own hearing comfort.

In despairation I finally took control of the remote... and thanked God it didn't occur to him to walk to the TV in order to adjust the volume. If so, I would have disconnected the electrical circuit.

He then had no alternative but to go with me to a hearing specialist. But still against a hearing aid - because then he'd believe himself to be 'old' - we also, as noted above, ended up with TV ears. There was a learning process for him and I still had to take control of the remote, else he'd revert to using that instead of the TV ears volume button... but at least we were on the right track toward comfort for all of us.

Good luck,

V

I found a personal amplifier system online. I love to shop online... :-) We got one for my my dad.

Just go out and cut a hickory switch and while holding it in front of him, tell him to turn the tv down....