Fun for Everybody – Perfect Hearing not Required

Spending time with friends and family during the holiday season is one of the best things about the holidays. For some, however, the holidays can come with anxiety and fear. Sometimes, people with hearing loss are often afraid to attend workplace parties or even family gatherings because they cannot hear properly.  They are afraid of not engaging in conversation and don’t want to annoy people by asking to repeat themselves.

With this information, you can now plan holiday gatherings, at the home or office, that will welcome everyone, including hearing impaired individuals.  the following is a list of things you can do to ensure everyone will feel comfortable.

1. Different parts of the space can be used for various activities— dancing, eating or conversation. Be sure to set aside at least one zone for quiet conversation. Be sure to keep the music an a relaxing, enjoyable level, where people can still hear it, yet have the ability to converse without shouting.
2. Turn the lights up and the music down. In order to replicate our favorite going-out-on-the-town locations, we will turn the lights down and turn up the music.  This is a great way to make people feel comfortable and keep them in the mood to party and maybe even dance.  Well, it can be daunting for those who are hearing impaired.  TO ensure they are comfortable, e sure to turn the lights up so they can see the people are talking to, and turn down the music so they can hear better!
3. Watch for the loner in the corner.Any good host will be able to read their party attendees so if you see someone alone, by themselves for a long time, go over and make them feel comfortable.  Engage them in conversation to keep them happy and involved.
4. Provide a microphone for speeches.Holiday parties often include toasts or other speeches. Use a microphone so that everyone can hear them. For larger or more extravagant parties, you can connect the microphone to a portable hearing loop so guests with hearing loss can listen in right from their t-coil enabled hearing aids.
5. Allow your guests to take breaks. Don’t be upset if someone with hearing loss retreats to a quiet area for some period of time during the event. Taking that opportunity to rest his ears and brain can do a lot to ready him for another round of socializing.
6. Have realistic expectations.Even though everything has been planned out, everything was set up properly and you accommodated for everyone involved, it might not turn out perfect.  Just enjoy the party, make some great holiday memories and make the most of time shared with friends and family!