Plus readers with a dilemma get advice from other Plus readers
My husband (70) is going deaf and wants me to speak to him more clearly, louder and more in his direction. I think he should get a hearing aid. He refuses to do so for the time being, because he says that he suffers from it when playing the piano and guitar and that enjoying music with a hearing aid is very difficult anyway. I think that’s nonsense, because nowadays hearing aids can be adjusted very well. What do you recommend me?
Name and address known to the editor.
What kind of deafness?
First of all, your husband will have to have his hearing examined; because one deafness is not the other. My husband, who plays classical guitar with great love, is, for example, deaf in the speech area. Unfortunately, a hearing aid does not solve all problems, despite what the commercials claim. Your husband will have to find out for himself what works best for him. My husband has not only a hearing aid, but also headphones for the TV, a microphone with headphones for playing the guitar and a transmitter in combination with earplugs for playing together.
Riet Lambregts (65), Geldrop
Shame is not necessary
My husband (75) is hard of hearing and has had a hearing aid for about ten years. He is an amateur saxophonist. So music is important to him. The music experience does indeed change with a device. But what do you do more: talking to others or practicing or listening to music? Is madam sure that the refusal is not also partly out of shame or non-acceptance of aging? Today’s hearing aids are very small. If the hair is a little longer, you won’t see it.
Marga van Hulzen (70), Spierdijk
No right to speak
How can your husband draw that conclusion when he has no experience with it? He just doesn’t want to. As a result, you have to speak louder and louder and repeat everything three times, which is very tiring and eventually results in living at different times. Only when your husband has tested it, he has the right to speak.
Jurrien Boot (67), Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel
Choose a good hearing care professional
Understandably he’s wary of hearing aids, I’ve had the same. I currently have a hearing loss of 80dB: without devices I hear almost nothing. I have a college music education, teach music at primary school, play every day and conduct a youth orchestra and choir. Thanks to my hearing aids, I can hear every off-note.
Try it, a world will open up for your man. Go to a good hearing care professional, make clear what your requirements are and choose one of the major brands. And: if the insurer is vexed about the choice of devices, advice from an audiology center can clear the way. You can request a consultation there through your GP or ENT doctor. Good luck!
Wim Nottelman (74), Geldrop
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