Most hearing aids are small, skin-coloured and subtle. But Hanan Merrill, owner of Nanaimo Hearing Clinic, thinks bright pink, prominent hearing aids might actually change the way our society communicates.
“Set aside your knee-jerk response to pink hearing aids, and think about it a little deeper. Many people wear prominent glasses that improve their sight while also making a fashion statement; we’ve all seen people who wear big, bright headphones that cancel noise and act as a status symbol. What if we were proud of our sharper hearing, rather than embarrassed?”
Could increased pride in your hearing aids improve your communication?
- You’ll wear your hearing aids more frequently.
- You’ll be more assertive in expressing your communication needs.
- If your hearing aids were bright and prominent, others would know to communicate better with you.
“What if your increased pride — and increased ability to communicate — would help others do the same?” Hanan says. “Through conversations about your pink hearing aids, others may begin to change their thinking around the stigma of hearing aids or work harder to accommodate those with reduced hearing.”
There are many simple things we can all do to make communication easier: getting a e attention before you begin speaking, moving away from background noise, speaking slowly and clearly without shouting. We can do these things now, but maybe if more people wore pink hearing aids we’d remember to do them more often!
Good communication makes good communities
“If more people intentionally practiced good communication practices, I think society as a whole might become healthier,” Hanan says.
- Less stress, isolation and depression due to communication struggles.
- More deep, valuable conversations, leading to greater understanding between people.
- A greater appreciation for seniors, who experience hearing loss most frequently but still have a lot to contribute to society.
“I’d like to invite people in Nanaimo to consider this idea with me further, and maybe give it a try — and now that I’ve got you thinking, the hearing aids don’t have to be pink, any colour that makes you proud will work!” Hanan says.
Nanaimo Hearing Clinic offers discounts on bright hearing aids, and Hanan will even supply you with some talking points to get the conversation started. Reach out today!
To book an appointment with Nanaimo Hearing Clinic, call 250-585-4100 or visit nanaimohearingclinic.com/contact. Find Nanaimo Hearing Clinic at 501-5800 Turner Rd in Cactus Club Plaza, Nanaimo.