Challenges of Holiday Gatherings for the Hearing Impaired

November 2024

I am a member of the Saddlebrooke Hearing Discussion Group. In this month’s article I would like to offer suggestions for helping the hearing impaired at holiday gatherings. In writing this article I have relied on some handouts shared by Russ and Barb Soderberg at one of our meetings last year. I also found this same information on the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) website. 

I personally find large social gatherings to be a challenge, especially ones with music. Last year I attended a neighbor’s holiday party. Almost everyone was visiting outside since the weather was nice. When I first arrived, it was easy to hear others as not that many guests had arrived. However, as additional people arrived it became more and more difficult to hear. I had looked forward to the party but decided to leave early as I was constantly struggling to hear what was being said. I had looked forward to the party but decided to leave early as I was constantly struggling to hear. That experience is my motivation for writing this article.

According to Data USA the medium age in Saddlebrooke in 2022 was 71.1. It is estimated on the Healthy Hearing website that nearly 2/3 of people aged 71 and over have hearing loss. So, it is likely that some of the guests at your Holiday gathering will have hearing loss. 

• Below are some suggestions of how you as a host can help accommodate guests with hearing loss: 
• Keep background music low and turn it off during dinnertime when conversations are key. 
• If possible. spread out to multiple smaller areas to promote quieter conversing environments. 
• Use smaller round tables that allow guests to hear conversations and see faces for lip reading. 
• Skip large centerpieces that block faces and visual clues. 
• Avoid dim lighting and ensure lights are bright enough to see faces. 
• Model good communication by speaking clearly while facing guests and avoid talking while chewing or drinking. 
• Do your best to minimize household noises during conversations such as running water or barking dogs which interfere with listening.

If you are a guest with hearing loss: 

• Arrive at gatherings relaxed and well-rested to hear your best 
• Sit toward the middle of the table, where you’re able to see everyone’s face and lips for lipreading. 
• If possible, choose a seat with a wall behind you to avoid background noise and distance yourself from a bustling kitchen. 
• Select the appropriate sound setting on your hearing device(s). 
• Try using a remote microphone if you have one. 
• Sit with an ally who understands your hearing loss. 
• Have conversations one-on-one in other rooms or in areas away from the noise. 
• Give yourself frequent breaks, as group settings are tiring physically and mentally. 
• Don’t bluff. Tell the other person you didn’t hear and ask them to repeat. 
• Accept that even though you won’t hear everything, neither will anyone else!

If you have further questions or want more information, my contact email is tgaule@outlook.com. I also invite you to attend one of our monthly meetings.