Talking about hearing loss with loved ones

9 out of 10 of us would feel upset if a family member was missing out on conversations or avoiding them altogether because of hearing loss.

1 in 3 say that a family member regularly doesn’t hear them or asks them to repeat themselves, but despite this many of us struggle to know the right way to speak to them about the issue. That’s why we’ve provided some top tips on how to start the conversation, if you think someone you love has hearing loss.

Our three tips for starting a conversation about hearing loss 

With the expert help of family psychotherapist Dr Annette Wilson, we’ve put together these tips for having impactful conversations about hearing loss. 

1. Choose the right time

Start the conversation at a relaxed moment – this isn’t one to start over dinner! Instead, pick a time when people are calm and not under stress, such as when you’re having a relaxed cuppa or out on a walk. 

2. Tell them how simple the hearing check is

Rather than mentioning your concerns for their hearing health, start light by emphasising how simple it is to check your hearing with RNID’s hearing check.

3. Consider taking the hearing check yourself first

This way, you can talk about it from your own experience. Or, why not do the check along with your loved one? Find the check below.

Want to come back to this later?

Not everyone will be ready to take action on their hearing health straight away. Changes to our hearing health can at first feel scary to acknowledge.

If a loved one doesn’t want to do the test right now, come back to it at another time. We can email you a reminder – and our top tips from above – to help you have this conversation again. 

If you want more advice and information about how to approach these conversations with your loved ones, you can read Dr Wilson’s blog.

Take the RNID hearing check

Take the hearing check with a loved one

Help a loved one take the RNID hearing check in just 3 minutes. All you’ll need is a quiet space and some headphones.

Take the hearing check

After taking the hearing check

Once your loved one takes the test, we will send them all the information and advice they need for their next steps, whatever the result. They can get in touch with our support line, Contact RNID, if they have any further questions.

Remember, changes to your hearing can be upsetting. By being patient and offering your loved one easy opportunities to talk about it, you can help support them on their hearing journey. 

Stories from the community

Sharing lived experience

Many families who have addressed a loved one’s hearing health have found the support and healthcare their loved one needed. Read some of their stories here.

Read stories from the community

Being deaf aware

When spending time with your friends and family, help everyone feel welcome by being more deaf aware.

How to be more deaf aware

12 million adults in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss. We can all play our part to be more deaf aware, both at work and in daily life.

More about hearing loss

What happens in an audiology appointment

Did you discover that you have hearing loss after taking the RNID hearing check? Learn more about what happens at an audiology appointment.

Signs of hearing loss

Hearing loss often happens gradually, so you might not notice it at first. There are some common signs to look out for.

Hearing loss and dementia

Hearing loss and dementia can often occur together as we get older, and have an impact on each other. Find out more about how these conditions might be linked and the research RNID is funding into it.