The holiday season is a time for joyful family events and lively holiday gatherings. But for the 28.8 million American adults who could benefit from hearing aids, navigating conversations in noisy environments can be challenging. With a few strategies, you can enjoy holiday parties with ease and get the best benefits out of your hearing aids.
Here’s how to optimize your hearing aids for better conversation clarity, so you don’t miss a moment of holiday fun:
Prepare with Settings Adjustment
Before heading to a holiday party, take some time to adjust your hearing aid settings. Many hearing aids today come with customizable settings that allow users to adapt to different environments. Use the “noise reduction” or “speech enhancement” features if your hearing aid has them, as these settings can help prioritize voices over background noise. Test the settings in a noisy environment like Nina June to ensure optimal performance.
Choose Optimal Seating for Better Conversation Clarity
Positioning yourself strategically at family events can help reduce background noise and improve communication. Sitting in a well-lit area allows you to use visual cues, like lip-reading and facial expressions, to enhance conversation clarity. Additionally, if the room layout permits, try to sit with your back to a wall. This can limit the amount of noise coming from behind you, making it easier to focus on the people directly in front of you.
- Choose a corner or quieter spot in the room when possible.
- Avoid seating near speakers, kitchens, or high-traffic areas where noise levels tend to be higher.
This small adjustment can greatly improve your experience at holiday gatherings, especially when you’re trying to catch up with family and friends.
Use Communication Tips to Navigate Group Conversations
Large group settings can be challenging, even with hearing aids. Using a few simple communication tips can make these interactions smoother. For instance, let others know that you use hearing aids and might need them to speak clearly or face you directly. Most people are happy to accommodate if they understand your needs.
- Politely ask others to speak one at a time during conversations.
- If you miss something, don’t hesitate to ask people to repeat themselves.
- Use assistive devices, like a personal microphone, if you have one. This can help amplify the voices of those nearest to you.
Holiday gatherings are a special time to connect with loved ones, and hearing technology can help you fully enjoy these moments. With a few proactive steps, you’ll be ready to enjoy the season with clear and enjoyable conversations.
To learn more about how hearing aids can help you reconnect with lost moments, contact Gary D. Schwartzberg, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology to schedule a hearing consultation today.