Hearing Loss During the Holidays

As the weather shifts and the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to family dinners, festive gatherings, long-awaited visits with friends and cozy movie nights. But for people with hearing loss, this time of year can also introduce added challenges. Large groups, overlapping conversations and unfamiliar voices can make communication feel overwhelming.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, nearly 15% of American adults report some level of hearing difficulty. Background noise and group settings are among the most common barriers to understanding speech.

While we can’t slow down the excitement of the season, we can set ourselves up for better communication. Here are a few strategies that can help you stay connected and confident during holiday events:

• Focus on one speaker at a time. Rather than trying to follow every conversation, turn your attention to the person speaking directly to you. Maintaining eye contact can help you pick up on facial expressions and lip movements, which the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association notes can provide helpful visual cues.

• Choose your seating wisely. Position yourself so conversations happen in front of you, not behind you. Sitting near a wall or in a corner can reduce competing noise from other directions.

• Limit background noise. Lower the volume of televisions or music during conversations to help voices stand out more clearly.

• Pick quieter restaurant spaces. When meeting friends, request seating away from the kitchen, restrooms or center of the dining room. A booth or table along the perimeter is often quieter and more comfortable for conversations.

• Wear and adjust your hearing aids. Modern hearing aids can be fine-tuned using smartphone apps to match different environments. If you need help adjusting your devices, our audiologist is always happy to guide you.

The holidays should be a time of connection, comfort and joy. If you have questions or need support hearing your best this season, we’re here to help. Make an appointment with us today!

Lorena Cavanaugh