For people with hearing loss, family meals and gatherings can be a challenge. Everybody is speaking loudly and at the same time.
Combine that with the clattering of dishes, scraping of chairs, and background music, and you have a situation in which it is difficult for people with hearing loss to enjoy themselves. There are a few ways you can make these noisy gatherings more enjoyable for you and your family if you have a tough time hearing out of one or both ears or if you wear a hearing aid.
Before Get-Togethers, Have a Discussion With Your Family
It is crucial that you talk about your hearing loss with your family before a big meal, so they can make adjustments to help you deal with the background noise. Your family can then do the things that will make communicating simpler like facing you when they talk. It may seem like an uncomfortable discussion to have, but it makes the meal much more enjoyable for everyone when you can actively participate.
Sit in The Middle of The Table
Family tradition might stipulate that you sit at the head or near the end of the table at big meals, but those spots make it harder for you to hear conversations. If you are in the middle of the table, you likely will not have to struggle as much to hear what people are saying. Be certain you speak up and let your family know if there is a place at the table that’s best for you.
Ask That The Music be Turned Down
Background noise poses a significant challenge for individuals with hearing loss because it is hard for their ears to filter out this noise and focus in on speech. Ask your family to turn the music off or at least lower the volume. If you’re in a restaurant, sit as far away from speakers as you can and away from loud spots, like close to the kitchen, where you can hear the clanging of pots and pans.
Technology Can Help
If you don’t already have them, consider investing in directional microphones or an FM system. Both of these technologies can help you isolate background noise by facing away from it and boosting the voices you want to hear to understand a conversation.
Don’t Try to Bluff Your Way Through
Your family members won’t know you’re struggling to hear if you don’t tell them. Hearing loss should never stop you from enjoying the fun of the holidays with your family. If there are adjustments needed mid-meal, your loved ones will be happy to help out.