Dear Prue: ‘We can’t work out why my father refuses to wear his shiny new hearing aid’ – Telegraph.co.uk
Dear Prue,
A few weeks ago, my dad finally got round to getting a hearing aid – and a very expensive one at that. He refused for nearly six years, which frustrated us all, including him, as he felt excluded from conversations – which he was – and he got terribly angry as he didn’t know what we were all talking about! He finally succumbed after much pressure from myself, my mum and my sister as we felt it would make things e…….
Dear Prue,
A few weeks ago, my dad finally got round to getting a hearing aid – and a very expensive one at that. He refused for nearly six years, which frustrated us all, including him, as he felt excluded from conversations – which he was – and he got terribly angry as he didn’t know what we were all talking about! He finally succumbed after much pressure from myself, my mum and my sister as we felt it would make things easier for all of us.
However, after only wearing it just once or twice, he no longer seems to use it. We have no idea why: it cost a lot of money and is hidden away in his ear. I think he doesn’t like to think his body is failing him. But he is 84 years old and extremely fit and well, apart from his hearing. You can’t even see it in his ear and no one would be any the wiser if he did actually wear it.
We don’t want to go back to the tantrums of before, and if it’s uncomfortable or picks up feedback or anything like that then surely he would be able to fix that.
I can feel it’s going to cause problems over Christmas and I don’t know what to do.
–Caroline, Ayrshire
Dear Caroline,
This is a really common problem and very tough to fix. When my mother was in her 80s, she was beginning to go deaf and senile at the same time. She was convinced we all mumbled, and actors didn’t speak clearly anymore. The problem was that we’d left it too late. By the time we’d persuaded her to wear hearing aids, she’d forget what they were, fish one out shouting, “What’s this thing doing in my ear?’ and hurl all two grand’s worth across the room. The trick is generally to start getting used to hearing aids long before the hearing is really bad – which, sadly, your dad refused to do.
But it worries me that he is just not wearing them and not explaining why. Are they uncomfortable? Do they make squeaks or buzzes? Do they itch? Assuming he’s of sound mind, it ought to be possible to talk to him. Could you not explain how difficult it makes life for everyone and suggest you go back with him to the audiologist who supplied his aids and get them adjusted?
You’ll have to be patient, though. I can’t see this being sorted before Christmas, I’m afraid. But do pick it up soon afterwards. Modern aids are enormously versatile, and very comfortable once the …….
