Hear better this Christmas
Hearing is a sense that connects us, not only to the world around us, but the people we share our time with. Hearing is one of our most powerful senses that keeps us engaged in our environment. The festive season is joyful for many, although persons with hearing loss can find it overwhelmingly difficult.
Even with mild hearing loss the impact of distracting sound on one’s ability to hear speech clearly can be a substantial factor in one’s overall enjoyment of social interactions. How would you feel if you had to guess every second word? Strain to listen? Or nod like you’ve heard correctly? A range of emotions can be elicited from poor hearing; frustration, embarrassment, exhaustion and even loneliness.
Unaddressed hearing loss is a major health concern in Australia and If you feel your hearing is not as good as it once was, don’t delay, have your hearing tested today. There are many ways to start the journey to better hearing; our online hearing test, our free iPad screening tests at one of our clinics, complimentary phone consult with one our Hearing Care Professionals or at the very least touch base with your local GP.
Tips for better hearing
- Have a hearing test. Find out today if you have hearing loss and seek appropriate treatment options before the Silly season kicks into full gear. There is still time
- If you have hearing aids, make sure you have had them checked & cleaned and they are in good working order. Ask your Hearing Care Professional if remote microphone technology may help this festive season
- If you have mild loss and no hearing devices, try the following communication tactics
- See as many faces as possible – eye contact helps your ears fill in the blanks
- Let the person you are speaking with know you have hearing loss and to speak up slightly
- Choose the quietest corner. Reducing background noise is one of the most effective strategies to help you hear better
- If you have control of the environment, make sure the music is down low, background noise such as kitchen clanging and banging, and road noise (windows closed) is all minimised
- Be an active listener. Be present in the conversation at hand. Here are a few active listening suggestions
- Instead of guessing what the person has said, politely as for them to rephrase
- Repeat as much of what you heard, so the person knows which part you missed, and they can fill in the blank, instead of repeat the whole sentence
- Check out ambientmenu.com.au to find the quietest restaurants in town. This Adelaide based company has an App / site that allows you to search for restaurants and café’s that have been acoustically assessed and hearing loss friendly.
Wishing you all a very safe and happy festive season
The team at Smart Hearing Solutions