This is the excuse that trumps all others. Unless you and your loved one can agree that there’s a problem, you’ll never get past Square 1. Realize that, as a caregiver, you may be fueling the fantasy by repeating things not heard clearly, speaking louder yourself, and otherwise acting as a human hearing aid. The best way to open a dialog about the existence of a hearing problem is to get real about it. An inexpensive hearing evaluation performed by a hearing care professional can provide the objective data that’s needed to take the conversation out of the realm of “he said, she said” and move on to a dialog about what can be done.

2.“It’s not that bad. I don’t need help.”

Even though people may acknowledge their hearing loss, their desire to stay independent can ironically steer them away from seeking help. So, instead of using hearing instruments to stay in the game, they rely on you and their wider support network to help them hear. But what they don’t realize is that the condition gets worse the longer you let it go. The worse it gets, the harder it is to treat. And the social isolation it creates makes it harder for someone to even seek help. All strong reasons to take hearing loss seriously, get professional help and be proactive about it.

3.“I’m too young.”

When you hear this from someone, regardless of their age, what they’re probably really saying is, “I may or may not have a problem, but I sure as heck am not going to wear something that makes me look like an old man (or lady).” Age-related hearing loss can begin at any age, but it really starts showing up statistically at 45. No matter what their age, people should take comfort in knowing they’re not alone. They should also know that many people are able to wear the new, completely invisible hearing instruments that provide a comprehensive set of advanced features without ever tipping off anyone that they exist.

4.“I’m too old.”

People who don’t believe they’re worth the cost of treatment need to know that managing hearing loss is an important part of aging well. It’s not just about enjoying sound and living a more active life. Other aspects of aging: anxiety, depression and dementia, are associated with untreated hearing loss. Taking control, staying independent and staying connected to the world around you is a key strategy for fighting the emotional and cognitive effects of aging. So this is really about health as well as happiness. And it gets more important as you get older.

5.“I can’t afford it.”

Hearing instruments can be a significant investment. The thing to keep in mind is that they are indeed an investment, not an indulgence. The returns on an investment in quality hearing instruments include better performance at work, a deeper, richer social life, and more resistance to the anxiety, depression and dementia associated with long-term hearing loss. Many hearing care professionals offer risk-free trials to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, along with low and no-interest payment plans and a variety of choices to match your budget.

6.“They don’t work.”

Most often people come up with this excuse if they’ve tried a cheap mail-order hearing aid. Often these devices are deceptively packaged and promoted like real hearing instruments, but they are nothing more than poorly designed amplifiers. For someone with hearing loss, the problem isn’t just loudness, it’s clarity, and these devices do nothing to fix clarity. Most Oticon hearing instruments use dual microphones, advanced microchip sound processing, and wireless communication to preserve the clarity of speech, preserve the direction that sounds are coming from and help you focus your hearing on the person you’re conversing with — all automatically and with more natural sound quality. The best way to understand the difference — and to get real help for hearing loss — is to visit a hearing care professional for evaluation and fitting with the real thing.

7.“They’re too much hassle.”

Old-generation hearing devices often require manual adjustments made by turning tiny knobs or pushing tiny buttons to switch from one mode to another. Modern hearing technology uses tiny microprocessors embedded in the hearing instruments to automate all of these functions. And they’re designed to help the wearer get used to hearing with instruments quickly and easily. With new-generation technology, wearing a modern hearing instrument is the closest thing yet to effortless, natural hearing.

8.“They’re ugly.”

This excuse is often heard from folks who haven’t seen a hearing instrument since the days of the transistor, when hearing aids were big, bulky and clinical looking. Today, we are so far beyond the era of the “Big Beige Banana.” Modern hearing instruments can be completely invisible, worn far down inside the ear canal. The sleek new receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) models can be worn behind the ear in colors that complement your skin and hair. Or they can be any one of a dozen jewellike designer colors, just for fun.

9.“They squeal in your ear.”

Feedback, as the whistling sound made by some hearing instruments is known, is much less common than it used to be. Digital technology, open-fitting designs and careful fitting can cancel feedback, minimizing it or eliminating it completely. It’s the same with occlusion, a booming echo of your own voice caused by hearing instrument designs that completely seal the ear canal. These designs are used rarely today, replaced by digital technology and open designs that minimize or eliminate occlusion. Bottom line, today’s hearing instruments are precise, clean-sounding and more comfortable to wear than ever.

10.“Insurance doesn’t cover them.”

In the U.S., there are in fact some private health care plans that cover the costs of audiologic tests, a hearing aid evaluation and even partial or full coverage of a hearing instrument. You need to check with your health insurance company or your benefits manager at work to find out. If you’re retired, although Medicare doesn’t cover hearing instruments, some Medicare supplement plans may offer hearing benefits for an extra premium. Medicaid often does cover hearing aids and related services for adults, and must cover them for children.

You don’t have to deal with the excuses by yourself. Everyone has their own set of reasons for putting off or denying that they need hearing help. Underlying most of these excuses is a general anxiety about the “new normal” of living life differently. As a caregiver, you need all the help you can get in confronting this basic anxiety, and your best ally will be a hearing care professional. Based on the data gathered from a hearing evaluation, your hearing care professional can guide you through the options available, and answer the questions you may have about the experience. It’s the best way to confront objections and excuses. And it’s the right way to begin your shared journey to better hearing and better health.

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