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Tips for Christmas Day for People with Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss

Tips for Christmas Day for People with Hearing Loss image

Holidays like Christmas Day can be incredibly stressful for people with hearing loss. Often, these events involve crowds of people and lots of noise, which can make it difficult to hear. At Find My Hearing Clinic, we understand the challenges the people with hearing loss face at these events, so here are our top tips on managing Christmas Day with hearing loss.

1. The venue

If you have a choice, choose a less noisy venue for your celebrations. Outside (if the weather permits) can be a great option with crowds of people because it can help the sound dissipate. It is also a good idea to look for a venue with minimal background noise and which does not play music loudly.

If you are at your house or a relative’s, there are lots of things you can do to reduce the noise:

• Turn the TV or Music off.

• Use doors to prevent sound from travelling from one part of the house to another.

• Avoid putting the dishwasher on after the meal. Leave this until everyone has gone home.

Also, choose your place at the table to optimise your ability to hear the conversation. Sit next to someone you want to talk too and sit away from noise sources. It can be handy to move around the table to talk to different people rather than trying to talk to someone three seats down the table. The closer you are to the person you are talking too, the easier it is to hear them.

2. Utilise Your Technology

If you have hearing aids or other hearing devices, make sure you wear them to Christmas Day events. Also, make sure they are charged or have new batteries before you go out or people come over. Ensure you have given them a good clean and replaced any parts needing changing, such as domes or wax guards.

If you have other assistive technology, such as a remote microphone or Roger system, ensure that it is also charged and that you take it with you.

If you call friends or family on Christmas Day, consider video calls instead of audio-only ones. This way, you can see the face of the person you are talking to, which can help you understand what they are saying.

3. Use communication strategies

There are lots of communication strategies that can help you in noisy environments. These include:

  • Face the person you are talking to.
  • Ensure the face of the person you are talking to is well-lit.
  • Move to a quieter spot or place you back towards the bulk of the noise.
  • Encourage the person you are conversing with to look at you so you can speak clearly and at a reasonable volume.
  • Feel free to ask for clarification if you misheard something. Resist the urge to smile and nod.

4. Pick activities not reliant on verbal cues

If you are a family or group that likes to engage in activities on days like Christmas Day, choose activities such as charades and board games that are not heavily reliant on visual cues.

5. Look after yourself

Listening at events can be tiring and sometimes frustrating for people with hearing loss. If you can, schedule quiet time between activities on the day or take some time out in another room to give yourself a break if you need it, especially if you feel overwhelmed.

It can also be useful to have a hearing buddy. This is someone who knows you do not hear well and can help you out if you are struggling by making sure you have the information you need or extracting you from a difficult situation. Sometimes, having a buddy to help cuts the burden for a person with hearing loss.

Remember, this is just one day. Avoid placing too much pressure on yourself or on the day, but use the tools available, such as hearing aids and communication strategies, to make it as easy on yourself as possible.

If you notice you are having more trouble than usual hearing at events like Christmas Day, that can be a sign that it is time for a check-up of your hearing and hearing aids. Book an appointment with your local independent hearing clinic in the new year. By seeing your local independent hearing clinic, you can be sure you will be supported in optimising your communication with your hearing aids.

You may like to book an appointment at your local independent hearing clinic. You can find your local clinic through the Find My Hearing Clinic – Clinic Locator