Family reunion: an aural challenge!

For some people, these moments can provoke anxiety. When you have hearing loss, your fear of not being able to follow a conversation or answer a question may cause you to keep your distance during family events. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of quality time with your loved ones.

Positioning is key when it comes to making sure you can follow a conversation. First, make sure to sit near the people you are most likely to talk to, as distance can affect comprehension. Additionally, try to choose a place with enough lighting to allow you to see your companion. Don’t hesitate to ask them to look in your direction and avoid covering their mouth with their hands when they speak to you. Finally, if one ear is less affected by hearing loss than the other, position yourself so that your “good” ear is facing your companion.

Whenever you can, try to reduce the background noise or ask someone to do it for you. Sounds such as the dishwasher, television or radio can interfere with your ability to understand speech. If you wear hearing aids that have a setting for noisy places, it’s a great time to use them!

Despite your best efforts, you may still have difficulty following a discussion. It’s quite normal, even for a person with no hearing loss, to sometimes ask people to repeat what they said. This highlights the fact that no communication situation is perfect and that we should not expect too much. Don’t be afraid to mention your difficulties, either. Tell your loved ones that you didn’t hear what they were saying, and ask them to speak slower and a little louder, say your name, touch your shoulder or make eye contact with you before they start talking to you. This can decrease your stress level and lead to more pleasant conversations!