The holidays are a magical time with family, fun and lots of good food. But for the 15% of U.S. adults with hearing loss, all that extra conversation can be exhausting. Let’s look at a few tips to help you cherish every moment this season.
1. Employ Communication Strategies
There are a few different communication strategies you can try for better understanding:
- Let your friends and loved ones know you have hearing loss and ask them to face you while speaking
- Ask others not to cover their mouths or faces while speaking
- Ask people to rephrase, rather than repeat themselves, when you don’t understand something
- Clarify the context of the conversation if you feel lost
- Sit or stand close to the people you interact with most often
- Sit away from noisy areas when possible
- Try to focus on what the speaker is saying, rather than on what you’re going to say next
Employ one or more of these strategies depending on the situation you’re in. If you’re in a crowded area, you might need to employ all of them. If you’re just having a simple dinner at home, you may just need to face each other and speak clearly.
2. Ask for Help
The holidays are meant to bring everyone together, and hearing loss doesn’t need to stop that from happening. If you feel like you need a little help, don’t hesitate to lean on your friends and family.
3. Set Aside Quiet Time
Comprehending speech takes more effort for someone with hearing loss. Because you have to expend more energy, heavy conversation days may leave you more drained than they used to. Combat this auditory fatigue by setting aside some quiet time where you can recharge between events. You can go to the park, browse at Oak Tree Books, or do an online yoga video from the comfort of your own home.
4. Wear Your Hearing Aids
Your hearing aids are the ultimate holiday necessity. The night before any big event, clean your devices thoroughly, charge or replace the batteries and check the settings. In some cases, your devices may have a companion app where you can create settings for your favorite environments, such as work or a party, which you can easily switch to when the holiday gatherings begin.
Hearing loss doesn’t have to get in the way of your holiday fun. For more information about managing your hearing loss or to schedule a hearing aid service, contact Eastern Oklahoma Ear Nose and Throat – Yale Office today.