By In plenty of Melbourne households, the real fight isn’t about the footy result. It’s about the TV volume. One person turns it up, the other turns it down, and by half-time nobody’s enjoying the game! Hearing loss is one of the most common long-term health conditions, but lots of people put off doing anything about it for years. Pride gets in the way, and so does the fear of looking “old”. Plenty of people also don’t realise how much they’re missing. For partners, grown-up kids and mates, raising it can feel like stepping on a rake. It doesn’t have to go that way. With good timing and the right words, a chat about booking a hearing assessment can come across as caring rather than critical. It also helps that today’s best hearing aids and clever hearing aid accessories look nothing like the chunky beige devices most people picture.
Why People Get Defensive
Hearing loss creeps in slowly. The brain fills in the gaps, so the person often thinks everyone else has started mumbling. Research from around the world suggests many adults (especially women!) wait several years, sometimes close to a decade, before getting help.
There’s often more going on as well. Some people worry about the cost. Others remember a grandparent’s hearing aid whistling all through Christmas lunch. Hearing loss can also feel tied to identity and independence. Knowing this makes it easier to stay patient when the first reaction is “I hear fine, thanks.”
Pick Your Moment
Timing matters more than most people think. Straight after a misunderstanding is a bad time, and so is a noisy pub on Swan Street or Hopkins Street. A quiet cuppa at home or a stroll along the Maribyrnong River works much better. It’s a good idea to sit down face to face when nothing else is happening, and with the TV off.
Lead With “I”, Not “You”
“You never listen” starts a row. “I miss our chats at dinner” starts a conversation.
Take a realistic example. Sarah, 48, noticed her dad had stopped joining in at family barbecues. Instead of telling him he was going deaf, she said: “Dad, I’ve noticed you seem a bit left out when it’s noisy. Is it getting harder to follow what’s going on?”
Open questions give the other person room to talk. Listening matters just as much as talking here.
Talk About Health, Not Just Hearing
Ear health connects to overall wellbeing. The 2024 Lancet Commission on dementia found that hearing loss is one of the biggest risk factors people can actually change. Untreated hearing loss is also linked with loneliness, tiredness and low mood.
It’s best not to use this as a scare tactic. Instead, treat hearing as part of routine health care, the same as a skin check or a blood pressure test. In fact, the best age to get your initial hearing test is at 45, so why not make it something you do together!
Make the Next Step Easy
Hassle stops plenty of people. Offering to find a clinic, make the booking, or come along for support can remove that barrier.
It also helps to explain what happens at a hearing assessment. A comprehensive hearing test is painless and usually takes about an hour, and the audiologist talks through the results on the day. Some people, including many pensioners and veterans, can also get support through the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program.
If treatment is recommended, there’s no single “right” device. The best hearing aids differ depending on the individual case. That’s why audiologists give people trial periods, so they can see which of these innovative hearing aid technologies sounds best to them. Hearing aid accessories or assistive devices like TV streamers and remote microphones can make a big difference in everyday life too.
What to Do If They Say No
A “no” today isn’t a “no” forever. Pushing usually backfires, so it’s better to plant the seed and come back to it in a few weeks. Ultimately, it’s their decision, and respecting that builds trust.
Next Steps for Better Hearing Health in Melbourne
The volume wars don’t have to go on forever. With some patience, a well-timed chat and practical support, most people come round eventually. Encouraging a loved one to book a hearing assessment at a convenient Footscray or Richmond clinic is a great place to start. From there, an audiologist can explain the options, from the best hearing aids for their lifestyle to hearing aid accessories that make phone calls and footy nights easier. Sometimes one kind conversation is all it takes.