With the holidays just around the corner, it’s a great time to talk about something that can make family gatherings a little easier for everyone: communication.
Holidays are about getting together with family, sharing a meal, and catching up with the people we may not see as often as we'd like. But for someone experiencing hearing loss, busy family gatherings can sometimes make those conversations more challenging.
Whether you’re catching up around the dinner table, visiting with family you haven’t seen in a while, or enjoying a weekend together, a few small changes can make conversations easier for everyone.
And remember: communication is a two-way street. It’s not just the responsibility of the person with hearing loss to keep up. Everyone can play a part in making conversations more comfortable and inclusive.
Here are seven simple things communication partners can do:
1. Get their attention first
Before starting a conversation, say their name or gently get their attention. This gives them a moment to turn toward you and focus on what you're saying, rather than trying to figure out what they missed after the conversation has already started. For someone with hearing loss or difficulty hearing, having that extra moment to focus can make conversations much easier to follow.
2. Face them when you speak
Try to talk face-to-face, especially when you're having an important conversation. Good lighting can help, too. Being able to see your face, facial expressions and natural mouth movements provides helpful visual information that can complement what they're hearing. This can be particularly helpful when talking with a family member who uses hearing aids.
3. Speak clearly, not loudly
If someone has difficulty hearing, the instinct can be to speak louder - but louder isn't always clearer. Instead, speak at a natural pace and slow down slightly if needed. Pronounce your words clearly, but there's no need to shout or dramatically exaggerate your mouth movements.
If you're communicating with someone who wears hearing aids, remember that hearing aids can help make speech clearer, but they can't completely eliminate the challenges created by distance or background noise.
4. Turn down the background noise
Holiday dinners can get noisy quickly. Between the television, kitchen fan, clattering dishes and several conversations happening at once, there can be a lot for your ears — and hearing aids — to sort through. When possible, turn off the TV, move to a quieter room or find a spot away from the kitchen. Reducing background noise can make a surprisingly big difference for someone with hearing loss, whether or not they wear hearing aids.
5. Rephrase instead of repeating
If they didn't understand you the first time, try saying the same thing in a different way rather than simply repeating it louder. Sometimes one word or phrase is the part that wasn't clear. Changing the wording can provide enough additional information for the whole sentence to make sense.
Didn't hear it the first time? Don't just repeat — rephrase!
This is one of the simplest communication tips for hearing loss, and it can make everyday conversations much less frustrating.
6. One person at a time, please!
Group conversations can be one of the trickiest listening situations, particularly when several people are talking at once. Try to avoid talking over one another and give each person a chance to finish before someone else jumps in. It might not always be realistic — especially with a lively family around the dinner table! — but even small improvements can help everyone stay involved.
7. Be patient
If someone misses something, give them a moment and try again. Avoid saying, "Never mind, it wasn't important." If they're asking, it's because they want to be part of the conversation. A little patience goes a long way toward making conversations feel more relaxed and comfortable for everyone.
Communication is a team effort Good communication isn't solely the responsibility of the person who has hearing loss. The person listening can use their hearing aids, ask for clarification and let others know what they need. Communication partners can help by making conversations easier to follow. Those small changes can mean the difference between simply being present at a family gathering and actually feeling included in the conversation.
If you or a family member in is finding it harder to follow conversations, it may be worth having your hearing checked. A hearing assessment with a registered audiologist can help you understand what you're hearing and where you may be having difficulty.
So this holiday season, enjoy the good food, catch up with your favourite people, take in the Muskoka scenery — and maybe sneak an extra piece of dessert. 😉
Happy Holidays from Birdsong Audiology in Huntsville!
