As we approach the festive season, celebrations are on the rise. It’s a time when many of us catch up with loved ones, watch films and maybe listen to some music behind our laughter and joy. Amidst the celebrations, we may forget about those who struggle to participate due to a hearing loss condition, known or unknown. Considering that over 40% of people over 50 have hearing loss, a percentage which increases with age, it’s likely that someone with hearing loss will be attending your festivities. You might even be experiencing hearing loss symptoms yourself.
Hearing loss can have an impact on the lives of those who experience it, such as social isolation and even depression. To encourage a more inclusive festive period, we’ve compiled a list of hearing loss signs to look out for in yourself or your loved ones and how to accommodate their needs.
1. Difficulty Hearing in a Group Setting
With all the social activities and dinners present during this time of year, overlapping voices in a group setting can make it difficult for someone with hearing loss to follow conversations. Whilst hearing loss is nothing to be ashamed of, this may take a toll on the person’s confidence and rather than fight to be included, the person may pull away from the social situation.
Similarly, for those with hearing loss, overly loud background music and noise can make communicating with others feel impossible. What for others is a cheery holiday atmosphere, can feel like an irritating presence to those with hearing loss. This can lead to listening fatigue: a mental burnout that occurs when your brain overworks to make sense of the sounds around you.
2. Playing Music or TV at Loud Volumes
Holiday gatherings often lay the groundwork for a movie or festive music to be turned on. However, if you find yourself constantly asking others to raise the volume or notice this in others, it may be a result of hearing loss. By identifying and acknowledging hearing loss, considerations such as adding subtitles can be made. Without open communication, this can be frustrating and confusing for everyone involved.
3. Struggling to Hear Children’s Voices
From children’s and women’s voices to birds singing and sleigh bells, when it comes to hearing loss, higher-pitched voices and sounds are often the hardest to hear. Even certain consonants which are spoken with a higher pitch, such as F, S, and H, may sound muffled when heard. This is known as high-frequency hearing loss and can affect people of all ages, though it is more common in adults.
What You Can Do
Pay extra attention to visual cues of those in a social setting who show signs of hearing loss, such as those who raise their hands to their ears to hear everyone else. If you notice these behaviours, it may also be good to bring up your observations to your family or social group, with the person’s permission and involvement.
Open communication is one of the best ways to plan and make accommodations for the person with hearing loss. A little preparation can make a big difference in making them feel seen. In addition, if you’re attending a social gathering away from home, it may be worth speaking to the host about hearing loss considerations and what to expect in the environment beforehand.
It may be daunting, but if you’re experiencing hearing loss, openly communicating your needs to those around you is very important. This can look like:
- Asking others to be aware of your visual cues or to face you when speaking.
- Asking them to rephrase what they’ve said. For someone with hearing loss, rephrasing a sentence is usually more productive for them than simply repeating it
- Suggest moving to a better-lit area if you cannot hear someone. Lip reading can play a big part in understanding what someone has said.
If you or someone close to you is showing signs of hearing loss, or if you’re worried and want peace of mind, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People offers a free online hearing test. Even if you don’t have concerns, it doesn’t hurt to check at any age; our hearing is incredibly valuable. If you’re looking for support with hearing loss needs, learn about our hearing loss care services or contact us today.
FURTHER RESOURCES
Reach by Nightingale Hammerson’s practical advice includes a Hearing section where you can find tips on using hearing aids, taking care of your hearing, and helping your loved ones with hearing loss live more fulfilling lives.