Ask an audiologist: How can I hear better at holiday parties?

Many people start to notice hearing problems as they get older. And wearing hearing aids could make a big difference. Whether you’re new to the world of hearing aids or you’ve been wearing these devices for a while now, it’s normal to have some questions. In this series, an expert audiologist at EPIC Hearing gives helpful advice about common concerns.
 

Question

I enjoy going to parties and family gatherings during the holidays. But it’s always a challenge to hear well with my hearing aids in loud spaces. Any tips that can help?

Answer

The noise at loud parties can bother anyone, even people who don’t have hearing loss. But when you wear hearing aids, it can be even more challenging. There are many conversations going on at once. And the music may be loud.

But there are ways to help yourself hear better — and have more fun. Here’s what I recommend.

Position yourself so your back is to the wall. This is an ideal position whether you’re chatting one-on-one or talking with a small group. The wall blocks sound, so you’re not picking up ambient noise behind you as you talk.

Try to find a quieter spot. The area around the bar at most parties tends to be loud and crowded, for example. So once you get a drink, wander over to a quieter part of the room to talk. If most party guests are gathered in the living room and it’s hard to hear, see if you can move to a nearby room where there are fewer people. If the weather is nice, head outdoors to mingle on the patio or deck.

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Don’t be shy about advocating for yourself. Let’s say you’re meeting a new neighbor or catching up with a family member you haven’t seen in a long time. Let them know that you wear hearing aids — and that noisy parties can make conversation hard for you. Once they’re aware, you’ll feel more comfortable asking them to speak more slowly or repeat something.

If you know the host well, you could also ask them to turn down the music.

Arrive early. Plan to get there on the early side, before the crowd and the noise pick up. Maybe there's a friend you know you want to connect with at the gathering. Suggest that you both get there right when the party starts, when it will be quieter.

Plan ahead with your hearing care professional. Many hearing aids today automatically adjust for louder environments. But your hearing care professional can also program your hearing aids to tackle noise more aggressively. They do this by adding a custom setting. Once you’re at the party, you push a button to activate the setting. This can diminish background noise and make conversation easier to hear.

Most importantly, go to the party! Don’t let the fact that you wear hearing aids hold you back. Sometimes, people who wear hearing aids decide to just stay home, since socializing may seem like too much effort. But isolating yourself is not good for your physical or mental health in many ways. So keep up your social connections, enjoy time with other people and have fun.

(Did you know that many hearing benefits, including a hearing exam and consultation, are covered through EPIC Hearing Healthcare? Learn more.)

Meet the expert
Monica Murray, Au.D., is vice president of program development at EPIC Hearing and a nationally recognized hearing health expert.

Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.