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And, if someone is wearing their aids and doing their best to understand you, DO repeat or communicate a different way, ideally just the words or ideas they did not get, that makes it easier on both parties. For example, my hubby hollers from the other room something that sounds like "Hey honey come get the mail, your soup pots are breaded" I would say "my SOUP POTS are BREADED?" and he should say, a little louder and clearer "your coupons are ready", not start with "hey honey come get the mail..." then fade off again. If it is worth communicating, it is worth repeating, otherwise you inadvertently convey that the hearing impaired person does not matter and does not need to know what is going on. But yes, I get that the person who refuses to use what they have if it is working correctly can't demand endless repetition and needs that kind of behavior modification.
There are aids out there suitable for severe to profound loss, and beyond that, there are cochlear implants. I was surprised to find out an older patient of mine with myotonic dystrophy was able to get one and benefit.
Ale, I love your link too!
Take a look at this article, it has a few useful tips about interaction with hearing impaired people as well as some ideas of some fun activities you can experience with them.
Plus the newer hearing aid Mom picked out is much smaller than her other one, but smaller also means more difficulty in handling.... but heaven forbid if anyone would notice Mom is wearing a hearing aid. I had to return this newer hearing aid back to the audiologist because it stopped working.... well, yeah, looked like Dad pry opened something he shouldn't have, probably looking for the battery compartment, a piece was missing.... [sigh]
Anyway....I had a g-mom who did not like to wear hers either, then she had the "selective" turn on/turn off switch. Not much you can do, but after all is said and done, after the frustrations, there can be some fond memories and you'll find that you'll miss it :)
Then Mom blames the new hearing aid as the reason she can't hear.... now she wants to go to a 3rd hearing aid place. Mom can hear maybe one word out of 20, thus talking on the phone is a real challenge. Like if I say "jello" her brain translates it as "yellow" or "pillow".
It drives me crazy too. We have went through three hearing aids in about five years and she still hates it and constantly fusses about it. Half the time the battery is out so then it is our fault because we 'mumble.' When the TV is on, she hears nothing at all. She will not stand in front of the mirror to put it on, so it is half hanging out and that ' is the fault of the company who made this rotten thing!'
I have also had strangers give me dirty looks in the store when I am talking loud or repeating things.