The holidays are a great time of year to spend with friends and family that you may or may not see much of during the rest of the year. It’s during this time that lots of reconnecting happens and that means lots of conversation.
Unfortunately, if you or a loved one suffers from hearing loss, this usually joyous time can sometimes become very stressful and isolating. Here are a few tips and ideas so you can enjoy the holidays just as much as your loved ones:
Stay close to a partner or friend.
By having your spouse, relative or friend nearby they can assist you when you are in group conversations. They can even help with repeating something you may have missed the first time it was said. Just don’t rely on them for everything as you can make it very stressful on them as well.
Try to focus on one-on-one conversations when possible.
It can be much more difficult for a person with a hearing loss to take part in a group conversation when people are constantly talking over each other and having side conversations. Instead, when possible try to keep conversations to just one person at a time. This will help you pick up on most of the sounds and also help you comprehend more of the conversation.
Always wear your hearing aids.
While you may choose not to wear your devices for various reasons, that is never a good idea as it will simply make your time much less enjoyable. In addition, most hearing aids these days come with noise suppression and/or cancellation features so they will help when in noisy situations with multiple talkers and even background music. Remember that our brains remap sounds for improved comprehension with daily regular use of hearing devices. So if you find that you struggle in group situations, the best way to help is to use the devices more often: fuel for the brain!
Breaks can help.
It’s okay to take a break from all the noise and action coming from the group setting so you can give your ears and brain a breather. By stepping out of the conversation into a quieter setting, you can help clear your head and re-energize for the next round of being social.
The holidays should be a joyous time for all and not stressful or embarrassing. For additional ideas and questions on how to make the very best of them when experiencing hearing loss, give us a call at (585) 432-4480 or click here.
Happy Holidays!