Commentary: Hearing loss doesn’t need to lead to isolation

I haven’t thought about my Uncle George for a very long time. Recently, I was with my cousin, his daughter, and we reminisced about him.

As a young dad he was fun, upbeat and charming, and eventually became an even more-charming retiree.

Dance lessons. Poker games. Lunch with the guys. You name it, he did it.

Then, about five years before he passed away, he fell off the radar.

“Where’s George?” his friends asked.

They didn’t have to look very far. He spent the majority of his days in front of the TV.

“Was he sick?” I asked my cousin.

“No,” she replied, “but his hearing became very bad. I just don’t get it!”

But I did. As a hearing-impaired person, I know that life can become very difficult. In order to optimize your hearing ability, a lot of accommodations need to be made in advance.

Are you going to a lecture? Remember to arrive 30 minutes early in order to get a seat up front.

Are you meeting your friends at a restaurant? You may want to make a reservation for the quiet table in the corner.

How about the movies? Don’t forget to ask for the closed-captioning glasses.

The list goes on and on. And even with all this planning, there is a good possibility that you will miss out on a lot of what’s being said.

Do you come home frustrated? Embarrassed? Disappointed? Are you drained of energy from having to be overly focused all day?

For my uncle, it probably became too much. It was easier to become reclusive. I don’t condone it, but I understand it. Just like any disability, you need to persevere. You don’t have to be alone to feel alone.

Get the best-possible hearing aids and devices that you can afford. Stay on top of the newest technology. Share your hearing concerns with friends, family and colleagues.

Ask them to speak a bit louder and more clearly. (Don’t pretend to hear them when you don’t).

Have them face you when they speak, and to repeat or elaborate when it’s obvious you didn’t understand. Most important, emphasize the need for patience.

I know I will meet my uncle one day in heaven. He will probably be the guy on the comfy recliner watching his favorite shows — with closed captioning, of course!

TERRI GOLDSTEIN lives on Newport Coast.