by Carrie Jackiewicz, Special Services Coordinator
It is time for holiday get-togethers with family and friends. How can you make your gatherings more accommodating and inclusive for family and friends with hearing loss?
Visual cues are important for speech reading and following a conversation. Seating should allow a person with hearing loss access to as many faces as possible. That could mean putting the person in the middle of a long table or using a round table. Ask the person where they would prefer to sit; they may have a specific preference. Good lighting is also key for visual cues. Make sure that no one’s face is backlit by closing curtains or blinds.
Include your guests with hearing loss in conversation by getting their attention before talking to them. You can tap them on their shoulder or make eye contact, so they know you want to talk to them. Sit or stand 3 to 6 feet from the person so they can hear and see you best. If you notice that the person is not following the conversation, you could restate the topic, repeat what someone said, or move to a quieter room.
Background noise makes listening to and understanding conversation challenging. Turn off music or turn down the volume. A remote microphone could be used to help the person with hearing loss hear the person who is talking more clearly. Real-time text-to-speech apps, such as Live Transcribe, can help a person with hearing loss follow conversations with greater success.
Allow for listening breaks during your gathering. A quiet room could be a great place for a person with hearing loss to take a break. It is important to remember the effort required by a person with hearing loss to follow and comprehend conversations. For other ideas, please visit @hear_and_out on Instagram and Healthy Hearing.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends!
