If you experience hearing loss, you’re far from alone. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing.”
It’s the start of wedding season, and for those with hearing loss, it can be an anxiety-inducing time. It’s hard to know if the couple has thought about accommodating guests who have trouble hearing, and weddings have a lot of background noise, making them extremely complex listening environments.
If you’re planning to attend a wedding this year, we provide tips for attending one if you have hearing loss below.
See an Audiologist
If the wedding is still weeks or months away, you have time to schedule an appointment with an audiologist. Audiologists are hearing loss experts who can provide diagnostic hearing tests that uncover your exact type and degree of hearing loss. Audiologists can also prescribe hearing aids, which are important medical devices that help you hear by amplifying sounds to a level your ears can easily detect.
Although approximately 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids, only one in five seek treatment. It’s important that you seek treatment if you’re diagnosed with hearing loss, as left untreated, the condition is linked to communication problems, social isolation, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression and even dementia.
Let Your Hosts Know
When you RSVP for the wedding, make sure to leave a note that you have trouble hearing. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can also request certain accommodations that would be helpful for you. For example, you could have a reserved seat near the front so you can hear better and even see well enough to lipread. If you would like a script or need an ASL interpreter, you can also request those accommodations.
Find a Quiet Spot
It’s no secret that weddings are loud—from the roaring laughter during the speeches to the blasting music during the dancing. However, there is probably a quiet corner somewhere where you can pull people aside for one-on-one conversations.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with an expert audiologist, call Gary D. Schwartzberg, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology today.