Communication Tips for Holiday Gatherings with Hearing Loss

November 18, 2023

While the festive season is a time of connection, it can be a frustrating and lonely time for those with hearing loss. The loud noises of the season can make communication challenging. It can also be overly stimulating and overwhelming for those who are hard of hearing.

In this blog, we’ll explore communication tips for the holidays. Whether you suffer from hearing loss or have a family member who does, everyone deserves to be a part of the festivities. That being said, here’s how you can create a more inclusive holiday experience.

Navigating Noisy Celebrations

Holiday celebrations often involve loud parties, lively fireworks displays, and musical events. While these experiences are exciting, elevated noise levels can harm our ears. However, there are some easy tips you can follow when navigating noisy celebrations.

Use earplugs or earmuffs as excellent hearing care solutions for minimizing loud noises, or take regular breaks away from the noise. This gives your ears time to rest and recover. You could also move conversations away from loudspeakers or noisy areas where you can communicate effectively.

The Perfect Hearing-Friendly Gift

For those with hearing loss, the festive season is a great opportunity to treat your loved ones with a thoughtful gift to help them get the most out of their holidays – with ultimate comfort and optimal convenience in mind.

For example, you could get your family member with hearing loss some noise-isolating headphones. These headphones block out background noise, allowing them to enjoy music, movies, or conversations at a comfortable volume.

Vibrating alarm clocks are another thoughtful gift. These clocks use vibrations instead of sound, ensuring your loved ones don’t miss important appointments or events.

Let’s not forget assistive listening devices. Personal amplifiers or TV listening systems help improve sound clarity and volume, making it easier to hear in various settings. With the innovations in technology, there are tons of options for you to choose from.

Clear Communication During Holiday Gatherings

Noisy gatherings with multiple conversations and background noise can make it challenging for those with hearing loss to follow a conversation or fully engage with others. This can cause feelings of isolation or exclusion.

If You Suffer From Hearing Loss

Focus on the person’s face to pick up visual cues and lip movements, helping you understand the gist of what they’re saying. You can also politely request a quieter spot and position yourself against a wall to limit or minimize background noise.

If Your Friends or Family Suffer From Hearing Loss

Choose a well-lit space, enunciate your words, and face the person directly so that it’s easier to read lips and follow conversations. Reduce unnecessary noise by turning down music or moving away from loud areas when having a conversation. You can also try to give the person time to process information and repeat yourself if it looks as though they didn’t hear you.

Reflecting on the Year in Hearing Health

This year saw huge strides in hearing aid technology: advancements in AI-driven noise reduction and smartphone connectivity. And that’s not to mention the development of more discreet and versatile hearing aids. Several studies highlighted the link between hearing loss and overall health, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups.

Closing Remarks

As we step into a new year, we encourage you to make your hearing health a priority. Get in touch with Forest Hills Audiology to book your next check-up. In the meantime, you can practice these simple hearing-friendly habits to include your loved ones in the season’s festivities and protect your ears.