Include The Family In Your Holiday Hearing Plan

Reconnecting with family and making memories is always a must during the holiday season, but your hearing loss could cause you to miss out on those precious moments. Don’t wait until it’s too late, start taking steps now to prep your ears for the sounds of the season.

Have A Seat

Holiday parties present acoustic challenges that can affect your hearing capability depending on the venue. Take some time to plan your seating arrangements so your ears won’t have to strain to decipher the merriment.

What you can do:

• Ask your host if you can arrive before the party starts and pick a seat that will provide a better hearing environment
• Sit at the end of the dinner table to limit the number of conversations around you
• If you hear better from a certain side, make sure your “best ear” is angled toward conversations

What family can do:

• Offer to be someone’s hearing partner to clarify noisy table conversations
• Get their attention before you speak to them and increase your volume

Create A Helpful Hearing Space

Whether you’re hosting or attending a party – or just talking to someone on the phone – there are things you can do to create a space free of obstacles that can inhibit hearing during a gathering.

What you can do:

• Make sure your hearing aids are charged and your batteries are functional before you head out.
• Find a quiet space to have conversations like a hallway or den.
• Video chat with long-distance relatives so you can see facial expressions and read lips.

What family can do:

• Make sure there is ample lighting to aid lip-reading.
• Consider turning down background music or turn it off completely to limit excess background noise.
• Help family with hearing loss set up video chats to connect with family who can’t make it home for the holidays.

Be Honest, Be Supportive

The holidays are all about family, right? Include your family in the conversation this holiday season and discuss a game plan that will support your hearing.

What you can do:

• Speak up for yourself and talk to your loved ones about your hearing loss concerns.
• Ask for conversation assistance during parties if you need it.
• Let your family know when they need to speak louder with visual cues like cupping your ear.

What family can do:

• Listen to your loved one’s concerns or initiate a conversation with them on the topic.
• Inform family members about your loved one’s hearing needs to help them converse.
• Your loved one is likely more frustrated with their hearing loss than you are so be patient regarding their situation.

Audiology & Hearing Aid Solutions provides the services you need to make this holiday season merry and bright. Call us at 888.573.6412 or contact us online to learn more.