We know social gatherings can be daunting and a little isolating for people with hearing loss.
With that in mind, we’ve put together some tips and tricks for the festive season to help you make memories that last.
There are tips for people with hearing loss and suggestions for family and friends as well. Share these around to get the most out of Christmas.
Sounds obvious doesn’t it, but it is surprising how many people don’t do this even in the company of friends and family. It doesn’t need to be a “tapping a spoon against a wine glass” announcement but simply make people aware that you have a hearing loss.
Who doesn’t love a Christmas Carol but hearing over it can be challenging if you have a hearing loss. You don’t want to be a killjoy, but I’m sure your host won’t mind if you ask them to turn the music down a little. If you don’t want to miss out on that special conversation, find a quieter place to talk.
Sounds obvious but you would be surprised. Don’t fall into a trap of wearing your hearing device only when you think “you really need them”, we know they may take a little getting used to but the same can be said of almost everything in life.
Pick a good seat in the middle of the dinner table so you can clearly see most people at the table. Visual cues are a huge help when trying to follow a conversation. Don’t hesitate to ask someone to move for you. Your ability to hear this Christmas hangs in the balance and this request is not an inconvenience. Ask your loved ones to ensure their face is visible to you when they’re speaking.
Don’t simply smile and nod if you are not sure what was said – don’t be afraid to ask for repeats and be aware of the topic of conversation.
Normal hearing people do not hear everything in social gatherings, so it is not realistic for you to hear everything this Christmas either.
If you wear hearing aids, make sure you have spare batteries handy or remember to pack your charger. You don’t want to be caught short over the Festive Season.
If you don’t own rechargeable hearing aids and want to upgrade don’t hesitate to take advantage of our free trial.
Not taking care of your hearing aids means you won’t get the best out of them. A little bit of maintenance will keep your aids and your hearing at its best.
We also offer a service to check your hearing aids to help you get the best out of your devices. Ensure you do this a few weeks before your Christmas events.
It is Christmas after all! Why not spoil yourself with a new hearing aid. There are some incredible devices on the market that do more than just help you hear.
Take advantage of our free trial and upgrade your hearing aids or assistive listening devices.
If you miss out on a few things here and there, try not to feel frustrated. Enjoy being in the presence of loved ones and keep your spirits high.