The holidays are here, and with them come work parties and family gatherings. While these festive events are fun, the combination of loud music, constant conversations and a few themed cocktails can lead to communication difficulty for the 15% of U.S. adults with hearing loss.
Let’s take a look at a few tips to accommodate your hearing loss for a better holiday party experience.
1. Wear Your Hearing Aids
Your hearing aids can do most of the heavy lifting for you at a holiday party. By collecting and amplifying speech sounds they allow you to understand and engage in party conversation without the increased mental effort. Some modern devices feature advanced spatial microphones designed to separate speech from background noise. This technology provides clearer sound, allowing you to focus on conversations without the distraction of ambient noise.
If you’re unsure what features your devices offer, read the manual or make an appointment with a hearing specialist to discuss your options.
2. Choose a Good Seat
If you’re attending a sit-down party, find a spot early on away from speakers or other loud noise sources. This will give you a quieter spot to return to if you feel like you need a five-minute break.
3. Express Your Needs
When you don’t hear someone, it might feel easier to stay quiet about it—but keeping your needs to yourself doesn’t help you or the person you’re talking to. Instead of nodding along or pretending to hear, let your coworker, family member or friend know that you didn’t hear them. Ask them to rephrase what they said or put it into context. They’ll appreciate the opportunity to clarify because it means you care about what they say.
4. Listen to Yourself
Communicating in a busy environment can be mentally and physically exhausting when you have hearing loss. Do your best not to strain yourself or push your limits. If you feel tired, move to a quiet room or leave the party. You only need to stay as long as you’re enjoying yourself.
Whether attending an office party or heading to The Barley Hound for holiday drinks, these simple hearing-friendly tips can help you enjoy your time. For more information on managing your hearing loss, contact Prescott Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.