We are making plans for seeing our family and friends. This should be a joyful time of year but it can be a difficult time for those who have to strain to hear. There is good news. By making a few simple changes, your holiday events can be more enjoyable.
Many people who have difficulty hearing feel anxious about holiday parties and family gatherings; they worry they may mishear what is said or not be able to follow conversation or miss the punchline of the joke. This can lead to avoiding group situations, withdrawing from the conversation and feeling alone and frustrated. Don’t be a Grinch! Make it easier for your friends and family who have hearing loss and for yourself. If you are the host, reduce the background noise, turn off the background music or at least turn it down. If the TV is on, you may want to turn it off, mute the volume or at least turn the volume down. Since it is easier to hear one-on-one, try to move to a quiet area of the room, move to a quieter room or lanai, and talk to one person at a time. Make sure you can see people’s faces at dinner. Don’t sit facing the window if there is glare or bright sunlight making it hard to see people’s faces. Some people are easier to hear than others, so try to sit next to someone that is easier for you to hear and lip read. At a very large table don’t expect to hear everyone. Focus on those right next to you or directly across from you. Let people who join the conversation know the topic. If you miss what was said, ask specifically for what you missed instead of just saying “what?”
Be aware that there are assistive devices that can help you hear in noise. Remote mics or external microphones can be passed from person to person to help you hear better or worn by you to help a loved one hear your voice better. These devices can even help you hear your spouse or friend when you are in the car on the way to an event or driving back north to see family. These devices may work alone or with hearing aids. Ask your audiologist for more information.
Also be aware that if you have a hearing aid with a telecoil, there are country clubs, libraries and places of worship in southwest Florida that have loop systems installed. Some of the places that have a loop system installed are: St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, St. William’s Catholic Church, Naples United Church of Christ, and Moorings Park Retirement Community in Naples; Marco Presbyterian Church on Marco Island; McGregor Baptist Church, Lee County Library-Lakes Regional and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center in Fort Myers; Grace Baptist Church and Lee County Library-NW Regional in Cape Coral. If you are aware of other places that have loop systems installed in southwest Florida please email us so we can update our list for patients. Often the venues make announcements about the loop system before an event begins so you can turn on the telecoil on your hearing aid. The symbol for a loop system is shown above.
If you often ask others to repeat what they said or think others are mumbling, you can reduce holiday stress by having your hearing checked. It may be that your ears just need cleaned. Maybe your hearing has changed. If you have to put a lot of listening effort into catching the conversation that is a sign that it is time to have your hearing checked now. If you find out that hearing aids may help you in your situations, don’t be afraid of wearing amplification. There has been an avalanche of improvements in hearing technology in the last twelve months, and most people who want help hearing better can be helped. Plus hearing aids are almost invisible now.
Hearing conversation in noisy social gatherings can be very difficult. You probably will not hear everything and that is ok. Focus on the things that you can do to improve your hearing and think about how you can make it easier for your guests who have hearing loss. Most of all enjoy being with your family and friends this holiday season. Merry Christmas!
Audiology and Hearing Care of SWFL
24810 Burnt Pine Drive Suite 2,
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
239-271-2735