It’s called many things, including the Silly Season, but for several people, it’s a time of the year that can be exceptionally challenging, stressful and isolating.
When everyone around you is celebrating, not being part of the festivities is a difficult predicament to be in.
At Hearing Works, we want to map out some helpful ways of enjoying the season by making tweaks to your social interactions, opening up to your partner and being more in touch with your hearing health.
Tips and tricks to survive the silly season
As a person with hearing loss, struggling to hear in noisy environments makes the holiday season less pleasurable, as there is a tendency for misunderstandings and miscommunications to occur. We understand that you don’t want to bring any attention to yourself, so often the only solution is to turn down party invitations and isolate yourself.
At Hearing Works, we want to stress the importance of having an open and honest conversation about what you’re going through. Whether to your partner, your social circle, the party host, or anyone you need to be open with, they will make more of an effort to make you feel at ease and there’ll be no need to distance yourself from having a great time.
• When you find yourself in a hearing-abled environment, always maintain eye contact with the person you are speaking to, and urge them to do so while you are talking. A person's lips, face, and body language provide a great deal of additional information, filling in any gaps that would be overlooked by hearing alone.
• If you’re out at a party, try to find a location with carpets. Hard surfaces, especially floors, amplify sound reverberation, making it difficult to hear clearly.
• When dining or drinking, sit with your back to the noise and, if possible, request a seat in the quietest part of the establishment.
• The correct lighting can make a big difference when communicating. Try to stand in a position where the person you are speaking to is well-lit.
You’ll now be able to see all the important visual clues you need to be a part of the conversation.
If you’re interested in additional helpful tools, the IDA Institute has some great tips to increase partner participation and help people in your social circle understand your needs. Here is the link to one exercise known as the Communication Rings.
At Hearing Works, we want you to be part of the Silly Season and not feel left out.
If you’re concerned about your hearing, book a hearing test at your nearest Hearing Works store today, and let this be the festive season of healthy hearing.
