So how do you tell someone they need a hearing aid?

[bif]

I know, very loudly. But seriously, my dad is getting hard of hearing. Every conversation is twice as long as it should be because I have to repeat every sentence. I've actually mentioned it to him before, but he said he's too vain to get one. But for Pete's sake, it's driving those around him crazy. How would you approach the subject?

[AmyDeLune]

1. Suggest he get his ears checked-- it could be something as simple

as getting his ears cleaned. Plus, hearing aids are so tiny now, some of them are almost impossible to see.

Good Luck!

[bif]

4. Well, he is 84

And he goes to the doctor all the time.In fact, he's somewhat of a hypochondriac.

[MissMillie]

2. in a loud voice, I would imagine

ok... that was bad. I'm sorry

[WilliamPitt]

3. YOU NEED A HEARI...oh, wait, you saw that one coming.

;)

Your dad is probably thinking about those older hearing aids, the huge ones that look like Borg implants. The aids they have nowadays are far smaller, almost to the point of not really being noticeable, and work better.

His vanity will be intact; do some google research and show him some pictures of the smaller types available.

Good luck. :)

[NV Whino]

5. Good luck!

I COULD NEVER CONVINCE MY MOTHER TO GET ONE. Oh, sorry, was I shouting?

[plcdude]

6. What?

[Sequoia]

7. Move your lips without saying anything.

Laugh, slap you knee but be silent. Cut down the volume on TV.

[kimmerspixelated]

8. WHAT???!!!!

...whips out huge snap on ear from gag shop!

[trof]

9. I don't know why people are so defensive about this.

You can't see as well, you get glasses.
You lose some teeth, you get dentures.

A good friend of ours has become really deaf.
She's 78.
I asked her husband about it.
"I've tried. She just gets pissed off and says there's not a damn thing wrong with her hearing."
:shrug:

[leftofthedial]

10. LOUDLY!

[KitchenWitch]

11. Using Sign Language

[MorningGlow]

12. That's a toughie

My 80 YO aunt is the same way--she can't hear a damned thing (including my 5 YO son, which frustrates him no end--he doesn't understand why auntie can't understand what he's saying and why he has to repeat everything at least once). My mom (her sister) has tried to tell her she needs to have her hearing checked, and she should know better, considering their dad needed a hearing aid, but she refuses to acknowledge she might have a problem.

I'd say contact your dad's doctor and have him talk to your father. If your dad is a hypochondriac, he'll probably listen to his doctor before he'll listen to any family members. Good luck! :hi:

[bif]

15. Thank you! Good advice!

[Wapsie B]

13. Are you a long lost sibling of mine?

My dad is the same exact way. His hearing is shot. But he won't even consider a hearing aid.

[bif]

16. Maybe we're cousins or something.

His hearing isn't shot. Just real shitty!

[Duer 157099]

14. Stop mumbling!

And speak up!

I swear you sound just like my son - he mumbles and then complains because he has to keep repeating himself!

(lol - but it's true)