Football season brings excitement for fans, whether they’re watching from the comfort of their couch or cheering live from a stadium. If you wear hearing aids or are one of the 28.8 million Americans who could benefit from them, you may wonder how to make the most of game day without compromising your hearing.
Watching Football at Home
For those watching games on TV, hearing aids can help ensure you catch all the action and sounds being broadcast. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the game to the fullest:
- Customize your sound settings: If your hearing aids allow for customized sound profiles, set up one specifically for TV viewing. This can help you minimize background noise at places like Trackside Station and focus on the voices of the commentators or key game sounds when you’re watching a game somewhere other than home.
- Leverage streaming features: Many modern hearing aids are equipped with Bluetooth® capabilities, allowing you to stream audio directly from the TV into your hearing aids. Check your settings or consult your hearing specialist to ensure this feature is set up correctly.
- Turn on closed captions: Even with hearing aids, background noise can make it tricky to catch every word. Closed captions can offer extra support by providing written dialogue, ensuring you don’t miss important moments during the game.
Attending Football Games
There’s nothing quite like the experience of attending a live game, but the roar of the stadium can be overwhelming, making it difficult to hear clearly or protect your ears. Here are some tips for safely enjoying the game in person:
- Avoid increasing your volume: It can be tempting to crank up your hearing aids to capture every sound over the commotion of the game, but stadiums are often loud enough on their own. Increasing the volume could strain your ears further, as opposed to clarifying the sounds you’re missing.
- Activate noise-reducing features: Most hearing aids come with noise-cancellation or background noise reduction settings that also amplify speech sounds specifically. These are perfect for a live game, as they allow you to filter out the surrounding noise and focus on the people you’re with.
- Use ear protection: If you’re at a particularly loud game or sitting close to loud sections, wearing ear protection over your hearing aids can help prevent damage from high decibel levels while still letting you enjoy the atmosphere.
- Take breaks from the noise: Give your ears a break by stepping into quieter areas of the stadium, such as the concourse, periodically. These listening breaks can prevent prolonged exposure to loud sounds and help keep your ears safe.
By making these small adjustments, you can get the most out of football season while ensuring your hearing remains protected. Whether you’re at home or in the stands, a little preparation can go a long way in optimizing your hearing aid experience and letting you fully enjoy every moment.
To learn more about hearing aids or to schedule a hearing evaluation for you or a loved one, contact Gary D. Schwartzberg, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology to schedule a consultation today.