Stay Connected: Hearing Aids and Fall Family Gatherings

Getting involved with fall activities can be challenging for people with hearing loss, whether it’s undiagnosed or recently treated. Trying to feel involved in the conversation is often hard enough, but trying to get involved in activities where you struggle to hear instructions is harder.

Parties and gatherings can cause frustration and discomfort, especially if you are struggling to catch the joke or follow the conversation itself. When the background noise interferes with your hearing aid, it can make you feel like there’s no point in you joining these activities in the first place. If you are dealing with mixed sound quality in a family that gets togethers that is virtual and a lack of body language signals, then you might be struggling to deal with the lack of communication. So, what can you do to stay connected?

Talk to the Hosts

It doesn’t matter what fall activity you are joining in on. Speak to the person running the activity and tell them about your hearing loss and ask them if there’s anything that can be done. For example, if you could be seated at specific places in the event, or if the host doesn’t mind turning down the holiday tunes or providing. You were somewhere safe to stand. This could help you to feel more engaged. You should always call in advance to see if the volume of music in a closed environment can also be turned down or your party can be put in a quiet corner is a good idea.

Reserve Your Spot

If you are heading to an outdoor event, make sure that you head around there early so that you can reserve your spot further away from the speakers so that you can hear everything without your hearing becoming overloaded. If you can, sit with your back to a wall to filter out that background noise so you can still feel involved.

Use an Assistive Listening Device

Even with technology that you are using from your hearing aid and assistive listening device can be very helpful in a loud environment. Usually these are devices that come with headsets or earbuds as well as a portable microphone and all you have to do is place the mic near whoever you want to hear. You could also convert your smartphone into an amplifier and that can help you to hear what’s going on around you and feel involved in the conversation.

Give Yourself Some Space

Even when you are getting involved in some of the fun things, you should give yourself some space by having a walk that can help you to lower the noise levels and therefore your stress levels and give you a break from the onslaught of noise around you. Sometimes it’s all that you need to be able to come back to the party and enjoy yourself.

Use Visual Cues

Ideally those who you are with will know that you are dealing with hearing loss and instead of interrupting their flow of conversation you should let other people know that you are having some difficulty with your hearing. When you are having that, this will allow people to see that you are signaling for somebody to speak up as well as look at you when they speak so you can match the movement of their mouths to the words that you can hear.

Utilize Closed Captions

If during your fall activities you are going to see a movie or watching a TV show, make sure that you enable captions so that you can read what’s happening on the screen. Subtitling your life may not be the ideal thing to do, but it’s something that can really help you in loud environments.

Don’t Just Nod Along

If you are experiencing difficulties in hearing, it’s crucial not to pretend to understand. Meaningful interactions are key to avoiding social isolation, so don’t hesitate to speak up if you’re finding it challenging to follow the conversation. This is particularly pertinent during bustling family gatherings, where multiple conversations may be happening simultaneously.

Planning ahead can make a significant difference. Arrive early to select a strategic spot that minimizes background noise. Opt for a seat at the center of the table or in a quieter corner of the room, where you can better focus on the conversation. If standing is more comfortable, position yourself close to the speakers. Additionally, don’t be afraid to kindly inform those around you about your hearing loss. They will likely appreciate your openness and may make adjustments to help include you in the conversation.

Remember, taking proactive steps like these can greatly enhance your social experiences, ensuring you feel connected and engaged. If you want to learn more about the hearing test process or what hearing aids we recommend to patients, give the team at Park Place Hearing Center a call at (707) 283-7853.