Our understanding of and its impact on an individual's quality of life has grown significantly over the past decade. have shown that untreated hearing loss is linked to stress, depression, social isolation and an increased risk of falls.

Untreated hearing loss also extends beyond the individual, affecting those around them. Repeating things over and over can be difficult and frustrating for spouses, friends and family members. It can also be heartbreaking to watch a loved one avoid activities and social situations they once enjoyed due to hearing loss.

Friends and family members can encourage those with hearing loss to start their journey towards better hearing through gentle but consistent support. Knowing how to navigate sensitive and potentially emotional conversations can be tricky. Kim Galick, from , shares four tips for compassionately starting the conversation and encouraging a friend or loved one to treat their hearing loss.

1. Don't enable denial:  Be honest and gently remind your loved one that they're missing important parts of conversations. Avoid enabling them by constantly repeating and rephrasing conversations, as this can prevent them from realizing how much their hearing loss is affecting them, causing them to delay seeking treatment.
2. Encourage with consistent and gentle support: Continue to be patient, gentle, compassionate and consistent with your encouragement. Understand and respect that it鈥檚 normal for them to be hesitant about seeking care. Many individuals wait up to seven years before seeking treatment, but often a gentle push from loved ones is all it takes. 
3. Emphasize the benefits: Remind your loved one of the benefits of diagnosing and treating their hearing loss. They can look forward to more than just better communication and relationships with friends and family. Treating hearing loss can also lead to an enhanced quality of life, more independence, improved personal safety and overall well-being. You can also remind them that treating their hearing loss will benefit loved ones like yourself and bring you peace of mind.
4. Schedule a hearing check-up: A great way to show your support is by offering to schedule and attend their first appointment. You can also help compile information on hearing loss and hearing aids from reputable sources so they feel more prepared and in control. Work with them to create a list of questions to bring to their appointment.

 or by phone 604-427-2828 or email at info@earslangley.com. Find Ears Hearing at  and follow them on .