Tips for Holidays with Hearing Aids

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! With multiple holidays coming up in the next month and a half, we’re all gearing up to see our loved ones again after a long year. It’s a time to eat, relax, and catch up with our dear ones.

As with most festive environments, background noise could pose a difficulty for those with hearing loss. We’ve put together some tips for hosting and attending holiday parties for people who treat their hearing loss with hearing aids.

If You’re Hosting a Holiday Party This Year…

Turn Down the Music!

It’s not a holiday party without the festive tunes, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got to have the speakers on full volume. Play your favorite music, but think of it as subtle background music. For those with hearing loss, the more noise there is in a space, the more difficult it is to make out specific speakers’ voices. Music, when loud, could be overwhelming.

Also, when positioning furniture, turn the speakers away from the seating area so that people will not have to compete with music when speaking. Even folks with normal hearing will thank you!

Consider a Round Table

Circular tables are the best choice for a seated dinner party, as all of the guests will be able to see one another. Round tables are better for facilitating conversation. If you don’t have a round table and you have many guests attending, you may want to create circular seating areas, using a number of small tables and chairs.

As far as seating charts go, it may behoove your guests who are hard of hearing if you did not have one. This way, it will be easier for them to pick a seat with their “best side” or “better ear” facing conversation, and also it will allow them the freedom to sit next to someone with whom they feel comfortable conversing.

Set Up Different Spaces for Hang Outs

When you get everyone in one room, the noise levels may rise to high levels! We recommend setting up several different seating areas, where people may catch up in small group or one-on-one conversations.

To aid those who are hard of hearing, make sure these areas are well-lit. This will allow them to read lips, if this is one of their coping mechanisms. With different options of spaces, people will be able to move away from noise and hear one another better if necessary.

Use Paper and Plastic

Fancy silverware and china may seem fitting for a fancy holiday feast, but in terms of decibels, the sounds can be quite loud and distracting. If you have guests with hearing loss, consider using plastic or paper silverware and plates instead. These keep the noise level at a minimum and also, it saves you from doing the dishes!

If You’re Attending a Party with Your Hearing Aids

Notify Your Hosts Beforehand

Recent studies about communication methods have found that disclosing your hearing loss in a proactive manner makes it easier for your loved ones to accommodate you.

If you’re planning to attend a party as a guest, do not hesitate to notify your hosts. Let them know what you need to best accommodate your hearing needs, whether it is quiet music volumes or making sure you’re seated next to someone with whom you feel comfortable communicating.

Position Your “Best Side”

You may find yourself in a big group conversation at a party. As you know, this can be overwhelming, even with your hearing aids. In situations such as these, position yourself in the group so that your stronger ear is picking up sounds.

Most hearing aids available nowadays are digital, with fast processing platforms. This allows them to pick up sounds from all angles of your environment and mix the audio for a balanced listening experience. Even so, it may be challenging with background noise and multiple speakers. Don’t feel tied down to one place.

Move to Quiet Spaces for Conversation

On a related note, if you find group conversations too overwhelming, feel free to move to a quieter area for one-on-one or smaller group conversations. Find an area that is off to the side, and also well-lit, so you may give your loved one your full attention.

From all of us at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services, we wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy holiday season!

Locations in Mission Viejo, Irvine, San Clemente, Laguna Beach and Laguna Hills

Call us to schedule: 949- 364-4361