Holiday dinners, gatherings, and parties are expected to be larger this year. That means catching up on news with loved ones and reconnecting with out-of-town relatives. For those who struggle with hearing loss it could mean a frustrating experience as they try to participate in conversations in noisy environments that can make hearing difficult even for those who don’t have hearing loss.
Failing hearing is most often associated with the older population, but hearing loss does not only affect the elderly. Understanding that people of all ages may struggle to hear in noisy, busy environments can make it easier to ensure that everyone is able to take part in conversations and celebrations. Consider the following ways you can help everyone in your party communicate better during your holiday festivities.
- Plan seating so you are able to face the person you are speaking to. If possible, use round tables so that everyone’s face is visible to everyone at the table.
- Skip the background music to reduce the additional ambient noise that can interfere with hearing aids and make it hard to pick out spoken words.
- Brighten up the room to make facial expressions and gestures part of the conversation and improve everyone’s understanding.
- Approach the person you want to speak to rather than shouting from across a room.
- Watch faces of your guests for indications they may not be understanding what is being said.
Your family members or friends may be embarrassed about their hearing loss. Don’t assume that everyone at your gathering can hear simply because no one mentioned their struggle. Your greatest gift this holiday season may be taking the time to notice those people at your holiday celebration who are missing out and encouraging others to repeat what was said.
Remember, those who wear hearing aids can still struggle in venues where background noise becomes amplified over the conversations nearby. If you are going out, consider your venue and seating arrangements ahead of time and try to avoid noisy restaurants or seating near a kitchen or buffet. A quiet corner or separate party room is ideal for eating out and reducing ambient noise.
Do you suspect your loved one is struggling with hearing loss? Give the gift of hearing by reaching out to them. At Hear Again Hearing Center, experts are available to provide a thorough hearing assessment to determine the extent of their hearing loss and how to best help them. This holiday season Hear Again is offering gift certificates for everything your loved one may need to improve his or her hearing in any environment.
Call today for an appointment and more information about Hear Again Hearing’s gift certificate program. Click here for more details on hearing assessments and hearing aid products from Hear Again Hearing Center.