My father-in-law can’t hear very well and won’t have a hearing test or wear hearing aids. What can we as a family do?

Reviewed by:
Published on:
November 11, 2022
Updated on:
August 13, 2026

Trying to help a family member to hear better when they won’t accept they have hearing difficulties can be challenging. It’s important to encourage them to get help to make communication easier for everyone. Be kind and supportive when talking with them about their hearing and recommend a hearing assessment to find out why they do not hear well. It may be as simple as having their ears cleaned.

Our companion article on what to do when a family member can’t hear covers more on this, and if they do decide to try hearing aids, the importance of daily wear is worth reading together. You can also browse the Hearing Aids category page for more.

Up Next
Can I sleep with my hearing aids in?
Written by:
What is Meniere's Disease?
Read article
Barotrauma: Ear Pain from Pressure Changes
Read article
What benefits are there for treating my hearing loss?
Read article
Free Hearing Checks vs. Comprehensive Assessments
Read article
The T.V. is up loud at my parent's place. What can I do?
Read article
Why do I hear my wife/husband/partner better than other people?
Read article
What is a "free" hearing test vs an Ear360?
Read article
Why do people find some sounds unbearably loud while others don't?
Read article
Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) in Adults
Read article
Is there such a thing as being too old to start hearing treatment?
Read article
Perforated Eardrum: Causes, Symptoms & Healing Time
Read article
What is Hyperacusis?
Read article
What should I do if I wake up and my hearing is different?
Read article
My family member can't hear well. What should I do?
Read article
I can hear people when it's quiet but not when it's noisy. Why?
Read article
How often should I check my hearing?
Read article
How is your mental and cognitive fitness connected to your hearing health?
Read article