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How to avoid 'dinner table syndrome' this holiday seasonFour tips to make your holiday party a hit for your guests with hearing lossFestive gatherings full of holiday music and noise can be a challenge for people with hearing loss. Even if you or your loved one wears hearing aids, background noise and other factors can still make it hard to hear at parties or dinners. As a result, a person with hearing loss or Deafness may end up feeling left out, unable to keep up with the conversation. This is commonly known as "dinner table syndrome." How to be a hearing loss-friendly hostThe good news? There are some minor accommodations you can undertake to ensure your guests with hearing loss feel welcomed at the table, too. Be sure to add these to your list of party idea to-do's to avoid the dreaded dinner table syndrome:
1. Designate a quiet area or roomIf you can, set aside one area of your house or party that is a "quiet area" without background noise or loud sounds. Also, take a few moments to consider who is coming. Will there be a lot of young children? Consider designating a playroom where they can play with their toys together. Got football fans expecting to watch the big game? Make sure the TV won't be playing loudly in the same area as your quiet area. 2. Dinner table considerationsWhen it's time to eat, how the table is arranged matters more than you might realize. Round tables, for example, make it easier for a person with hearing loss to keep up with conversation. Here are other things to consider:
More: Home acoustics can make it harder to hear, but there are easy fixes 3. Reduce the noise level and holiday musicIf you can’t designate separate rooms for the big game or kids playroom, at least turn the television off during dinner. Also, turn down the holiday music—or turn it off completely—while you eat. It tends to make people speak louder. Wait until your guests have left the table before clearing the dishes. 4. Know the do's and don'ts of talking to someone with hearing lossFor people with hearing loss or other hearing impairments, a noisy environment or friends who speak too quickly can make communication extra challenging. We've got a full list of tips for talking to someone with hearing loss here, but here's a quick summary. More: How to hear better in challenging places (like a crowded restaurant), even if you don't have hearing loss. How to accommodate someone with hearing lossIf you have hearing loss, self-advocateIf you’re a guest at a holiday gathering, don’t be afraid to take the hosts aside and politely discuss your needs. It’s okay to ask to be seated so that the majority of guests are on your “good" side (if you have one) or the farthest away from the kitchen clatter or television din. Enlist a friend or family member to be your dinner partner so they can help you catch conversation you might otherwise miss. If background noise is distracting you from hearing the conversation, speak up (politely) and let someone know you are having trouble hearing. More holiday healthy hearing articles:
And remember—consider visiting a hearing care professional near you if you have trouble hearing your family during the holidays. Joy Victory, managing editor, Healthy HearingJoy Victory has extensive experience editing consumer health information. Her training in particular has focused on how to best communicate evidence-based medical guidelines and clinical trial results to the public. She strives to make health content accurate, accessible and engaging to the public. Read more about Joy. |
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