Helping someone you love hear you.
Someone you love is having a harder time hearing you, and you want to help without making it awkward. Small changes in how you talk, and where you talk, do more than you might expect.
- Get their attention first, a gentle touch or their name, before you start speaking.
- Rephrase instead of repeating: try different words rather than simply speaking louder.
- Keep the room well lit so they can read your face, expressions, and lip movements.
- Turn on captions on the TV, and use phone apps like Live Transcribe for face-to-face conversations.
- Set up visual or vibrating alerts for the doorbell, alarms, and smoke detectors.
- Explore Bluetooth hearing aids that stream TV and phone audio directly, so listening is less tiring.
- If it has been a while, offer to help book a hearing assessment. Your support eases the nerves.
Your loved one doesn't have to navigate this alone either. Our peer meetings and workshops welcome newcomers. See what's coming up.
Read the full guide · My mom or dad has hearing loss: what can I do to help?
Hearing loss can be devastating when it arrives suddenly, and isolating when it creeps up slowly. Trouble following a conversation gets mistaken for dementia or Alzheimer's more often than you would think, when the real problem is hearing. And plenty of parents hold back from admitting it, because they do not want to seem diminished.
The steps below will help you help them. Come at every conversation with empathy, patience, and understanding.
1. Get a hearing assessment
A hearing assessment is the essential first step. A qualified hearing professional can determine the extent of the hearing loss and recommend strategies or devices to improve communication. Assessments are available through many clinics; our clinic directory lists dozens across the region.
2. Educate yourself and your parent
Learn about the different types of hearing aids and other hearing instruments available. Hearing aids are extremely helpful, but they work even better when paired with:
- Home-based hearing assistive technologies
- Communication strategies that both you and your parent can use
- Environmental adjustments that reduce background noise
Understanding the options empowers both you and your parent to make informed decisions.
3. Explore funding options
Depending on your parent's situation, hearing devices may be fully or partially reimbursed. Possible sources include:
- Government of Ontario Assistive Devices Program (ADP): covers a portion of hearing aid costs for eligible residents.
- Private or employer-based health insurance: many plans include partial reimbursement for hearing aids or assistive devices.
- Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): hearing devices can be claimed as eligible medical expenses on income tax returns.
- Community knowledge: other seniors with hearing loss may know about additional funding sources. Don't hesitate to ask; many supports are not widely advertised.
4. Encourage open communication
Talk openly with your parent about their hearing loss and encourage them to use hearing aids or assistive devices. Some individuals feel more confident after meeting others who use hearing aids. Our own peer meetings and events are a warm place to start.
Resources
- Understanding who does what (PDF)
- Hearing Loss 101 (CHHA National)
- Living with hearing loss (CHHA National)
- Hearing care counselling for 55+ (Canadian Hearing Services)
- Hearing loss in older adults: what to know and do
- Resources available for people with hearing loss
- Government of Ontario: get help paying for hearing devices
- CRA: eligible medical expenses
- CRA: disability tax credit
- Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners (Ontario)
- College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
- CHHA-NCR Branch