We don’t need to tell you the symptoms of hearing loss; you already know them all too well. You have a different type of problem: persuading someone you care for to get their hearing evaluated and treated.

But just how are you supposed to get through to someone who denies there is even an issue, or that simply shrugs it off as “just part of getting old”?

It turns out that it’s not as easy as just recommending to them that they need their hearing tested. They won’t see the need, and you won’t get very far using threats, ultimatums, or other coercive tactics.

Even though it may seem like an impossible scenario, there are other, more discreet approaches you can employ. In fact, you can tap into the massive body of social scientific research that reveals which techniques of persuasion have been determined to be the most consistently effective.

In other words, you can utilize tested, researched, and confirmed persuasive methods that have been shown to actually work. It’s worth an attempt, right? And examining the strategies might help you to think of additional ideas.

With that in mind, here are 6 scientifically tested techniques of persuasion and how you might use them to persuade a loved one to get their hearing tested:

1. Reciprocity

What it is:

The principle of reciprocity is very simple: if someone does a favor for you, you’re strongly compelled to return the favor for them.

How to use it:

Timing is everything. You plan on asking your loved one to get their hearing tested at some point anyway, so why not make the request soon after you’ve done something special for them?

2. Commitment and Consistency

What it is:

We all have a strong psychological desire to think and behave consistently.

How to use it:

The key is to start with small commitments ahead of making the final request. If you start by telling your loved one to get a hearing test, you likely won’t see much success.

Alternatively, ease into the topic by casually sharing an article on hearing loss and how widespread it is. Without mentioning their own hearing loss, get them to disclose that hearing loss is a more prominent issue than they had believed.

As soon as they confess to a couple of basic facts, it may be less difficult to discuss their own individual hearing loss, and they may be more likely to accept that they have a problem.

3. Social Proof

What it is:

We have a tendency to think in terms of “safety in numbers.” We tend to follow the crowd, and we assume that if a number of other people are doing something, it must be safe or beneficial.

How to use it:

There are at minimum two ways to use this technique. One way is to share articles on the many advantages of wearing hearing aids and how hearing aids amplify the quality of life for millions of people in the U.S. and around the world.

The second way to use the technique is to schedule a hearing test for yourself. Inform your loved one that you want to confirm the well being of your own hearing, but that you would feel better if they went with you and had their own assessment.

4. Liking

What it is:

You are more likely to be persuaded by people you personally like than by either a stranger or by someone you dislike.

How to use it:

Solicit the assistance of people you know your loved one likes or respects. Attempt to find that one person whom your loved one consistently seems to respond to, and have him or her talk about and highly recommend a hearing test.

5. Authority

What it is:

We have the tendency to listen to and have respect for the viewpoints of those we perceive as authority figures.

How to use it:

Share articles on how celebrities, athletes, and other popular figures wear and benefit from hearing aids. You can also share articles from trustworthy sources that summarize the necessity of having your hearing tested. For instance, the World Health Organization just recently published an article titled “1.1 billion people at risk of hearing loss.”

6. Scarcity

What it is:

Scarcity produces a sense of urgency when what we want is perceived as limited or in short supply. Scarcity creates the feeling that, if we don’t act quickly, we may lose something once and for all.

How to use it:

The latest research has linked hearing loss to many different serious conditions, including Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, memory impairment, and rapid cognitive decline. Hearing loss also gets worse through the years, so the earlier it’s dealt with, the better.

To apply scarcity, share articles, such as our earlier blog post titled 8 reasons hearing loss is more dangerous than you think, with your loved one. Show them that every day spent with untreated hearing loss worsens the hearing loss, deteriorates health, and increases the risk of developing more serious conditions.

If all else fails, just give it to them straight. Explain to your loved ones how their hearing loss affects you, combined with how it’s impacting your relationship. When you make it about your needs and emotions rather than theirs, the reaction is usually better.

Have you had success persuading someone to have their hearing tested? Let us know your methods in a comment.


The six principles of persuasion were developed by Dr. Robert Cialdini, and can be found in his book titled “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.”
