The holidays are typically filled with gatherings where family and friends come together. Often, these events can be fun, but also filled with music and voices that grow louder as the evening wears on. That makes it especially tough for someone with hearing loss to enjoy these get-togethers. They may even choose to avoid these events all together so they don’t have to deal with the frustration of trying to hear in background noise.
If that’s the case for you, here are five tips to help you enjoy the sounds of the season.
- Take advantage of technology. If you have hearing loss and wear prescription hearing aids, be sure to wear them. Many prescription hearing aids today have features to help reduce background noise as well as connect to special devices, such as remote mics that can improve speech understanding. Before you attend the party, be sure your hearing aids are charged up or if your hearing aids use batteries, take an extra pack so you don’t lose power in the middle of the fun.
- Always face your conversation partner. You may not be aware of it, but your partner’s facial expressions provide context for the conversation. Plus, if you read lips, looking at your partner’s lips can help you better understand the conversation.
- Reduce background noise as much as you can, such as the television or music. Even though soft music playing in the background is enjoyable, it can interfere with hearing and the ability to understand speech. It’s also important to note that even the most sophisticated hearing aids can’t completely eliminate background noise.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or for your conversation partner to repeat themselves. It’s much better to ask for clarification than to simply nod in agreement when you can’t understand what’s being said.
- Find a quiet spot to talk. If you’re hoping to catch up with a close friend or family member, try to find an out-of-the-way spot where it’s less noisy and easier to hear.
If you’re hosting the holiday gathering, here are a few tips to help you plan an event that takes those with hearing loss into consideration.
- Try to choose a location with good acoustics and lighting. Carpet, drapes, pillows and other fabrics absorb sound and make it easier for others to hear. Hardwood floors and minimalist window treatments make it harder to hear. Good lighting makes it easier for others to see faces and read lips, which contributes to speech understanding.
- Minimize background noise as much as possible. Remember, background noise is difficult for anyone to hear in, especially if a guest has hearing loss. Competing sounds, like the television or music, can add to the difficulty, so turn them off or on the lowest setting.
- If you are hosting a dinner, be sure to seat your guests in a circle or rectangle. Try to place the individual with hearing loss in a central location. This will help them to be able to hear conversations at each end of the table. If your celebration takes place in a restaurant, select a venue with good lighting and acoustics. Candlelight may seem festive, but it makes it tough to see faces.
- If a guest with hearing loss doesn’t understand you, try rephrasing what you said. If your guest has difficulty with certain words or consonants, this gives them a better chance to understand the conversation.
- Find fun games and activities that rely less on the spoken word and more on action so that everyone feels included. For example, charades or Pictionary, can be great ice breakers to help warm up the group and get attendees acquainted.
And remember the reason for your gathering—to celebrate the season with family and friends. Good communication makes it possible for everyone to feel included and to have a great time—whether attendees wear hearing aids or not.
If you don’t wear hearing aids but find it difficult to hear at an event, it may be time to have your hearing evaluated.
