Focusing on "Hearing Problems" Often Overlooked in Caregiving Settings

Hearing Distributor Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshihide Hayashi), which operates the hearing aid specialty store "Audio Nova," will hold a free study session titled "Communication Study Session for People with Hearing Loss" for care managers and other professionals in the caregiving and welfare fields on July 17 (Fri.) and July 24 (Fri.), 2026, at its Kita-Shinagawa store.

The study session will be led by the manager of the Kita-Shinagawa store, a certified hearing aid technician, who will provide easy-to-understand explanations on topics useful in caregiving and welfare settings, including tips for conversation and communication with people who have hearing loss, how people with hearing loss perceive sound, the relationship between hearing loss and dementia, the basics of hearing aids, and subsidy/support systems.

This initiative by a hearing aid specialty store aims to support local caregiving and welfare professionals in addressing concerns such as "being asked to repeat themselves frequently," "conversations not flowing smoothly," "not understanding hearing aids," and "wanting to understand subsidy systems."

Furthermore, if the scheduled dates do not work, consultations for holding the session on a different date or for an on-site study session at your facility are also possible.

"Difficulty Hearing" and Communication Challenges Often Overlooked in Caregiving Settings

With the aging population, opportunities to interact with users who have difficulty hearing are increasing in caregiving and welfare settings.

When hearing becomes difficult, it can lead not only to difficulty in conveying the content of conversations but also to increased requests for repetition, avoidance of conversation, incomplete understanding of explanations, and reduced communication with others.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare also points out the impact of age-related hearing loss on daily life, including difficulties in communication with family and friends, potential social isolation and depression, and possible effects on cognitive function.

For care managers and support staff who interact with users daily in caregiving and welfare settings, knowing how to address individuals with hearing loss, the optimal speaking position, creating an environment conducive to hearing, and how to interact with hearing aid users can lead to building trust with users.

Explaining Content Useful in Situations Where It's Unclear "If They Haven't Heard or Haven't Understood"

This study session will cover scenarios likely to occur when interacting with users who have hearing loss, providing practical and easy-to-understand content.

Main Topics:

* Tips for conversation and communication with people with hearing loss * How people with hearing loss perceive sound * The relationship between hearing loss and dementia * The basics of hearing aids * Information on subsidy/support systems

For example, in situations where users repeatedly ask for clarification, show little reaction to explanations, or have difficulty communicating during phone calls or interviews, the cause may be "difficulty hearing" rather than the person "not understanding."

In communicating with people who have hearing loss, a few simple adjustments can significantly improve understanding, such as speaking from the front, ensuring your mouth is visible, speaking in short, clear segments, reducing background noise, and confirming understanding, in addition to speaking louder.

Why a Hearing Aid Specialty Store Supports Local Caregiving and Welfare Professionals

Audio Nova is a hearing aid specialty store with branches nationwide. In daily consultations at our stores, we receive feedback not only from users themselves but also from their families and supporters, expressing concerns like "My parent is asking me to repeat myself more often," "I want to suggest a hearing aid, but I don't know how to approach the conversation," and "My loved one uses a hearing aid, but I'm worried if they are using it effectively."

On the other hand, in caregiving and welfare settings, it can be difficult to provide detailed explanations about hearing aids and subsidy systems even when hearing difficulties are noticed.

Therefore, Audio Nova Kita-Shinagawa store is holding a free study session for local care managers and supporters to provide basic information on communication with people who have hearing loss, as well as information on hearing aids and subsidy systems.

Through this initiative, we aim not only to serve as a local hub for hearing-related consultations as a hearing aid specialty store but also to collaborate with caregiving and welfare professionals to contribute to creating an environment where individuals with hearing difficulties can continue to converse and consult with peace of mind.

On-site Study Sessions Available if Dates Don't Align

This study session is planned as a small-group session at the Kita-Shinagawa store. The capacity is approximately 4 people per session, and participation is free.

Additionally, if the scheduled dates do not work, consultations for holding the session on a different date or for an on-site study session at your facility are also possible.

We can accommodate requests such as:

* "We want a short session for our staff within our facility." * "We want to participate as a group." * "We want to consult about specific situations where we are having trouble communicating with users."

We will respond to such requests as much as possible.

"Communication Study Session for People with Hearing Loss" Overview

Dates:

July 17, 2026 (Fri.) July 24, 2026 (Fri.)

Time:

13:00-14:30 / 15:30-17:00 each day

Venue:

Hearing Aid Specialty Store Audio Nova Kita-Shinagawa Store 1F Atlas Kita-Shinagawa, 2-19-4 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Access:

Approximately 2 minutes walk from the North Exit of Keikyu Line "Shinbanba Station"

Target Audience:

Care managers and others who are struggling with communication with people who have hearing loss.

Capacity:

Approximately 4 people per session

Participation Fee:

Free

Instructor:

Ryohei Ida, Manager, Hearing Aid Specialty Store Audio Nova Kita-Shinagawa (Certified Hearing Aid Technician)

Content:

* Tips for conversation and communication with people with hearing loss * How people with hearing loss perceive sound * The relationship between hearing loss and dementia * The basics of hearing aids * Information on subsidy/support systems

How to Apply:

Please apply via QR code or by calling the Kita-Shinagawa store at 03-6433-9981.

Phone Number:

03-6433-9981

Application Deadline:

July 14, 2026 (Tue.)

* Registration will close once capacity is reached. * If the scheduled dates do not work, you can also consult about holding the session on alternative dates or for an on-site study session at your facility.

About Hearing Aid Specialty Store Audio Nova:

Hearing Aid Specialty Store Audio Nova is a hearing aid specialty store with branches nationwide. Through consultations regarding hearing, hearing aid trials, adjustments, and inspections, we support each customer's hearing needs tailored to their lifestyle.

We accept consultations not only from users themselves but also from their families and supporters.

Please feel free to consult with us even at the stage where you notice "increased requests for repetition," "they seem to have difficulty participating in conversations," or "you want them to try a hearing aid but don't know how to suggest it."

Company Profile:

Company Name: Hearing Distributor Japan Co., Ltd. Location: 11F Tennozu Parkside Building, 2-5-8 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Representative: Yoshihide Hayashi, President Business Activities: Sales and services of hearing aids and related products Store Brand: Hearing Aid Specialty Store Audio Nova URL: https://www.audionova.co.jp/