Shared meals offer more than nourishment. They're a time to share stories and strengthen connections with family, friends, and colleagues.
But if you have hearing loss, this vital ritual can be an agonizing uphill battle with the chaotic noise of clattering dishes, bustling servers, and competing conversations.
Why it matters
- Struggling to join conversations in restaurants with untreated hearing loss is incredibly fatiguing and frustrating.
- It encourages people to abandon what was once an enjoyable and vital way to socialize.
Good news: Below, you'll find some proven techniques for managing restaurant clamor so you can have a pleasant social experience despite the din.
Select restaurants wisely
- Plan ahead:
- Choose quieter establishments.
- Use the Soundprint app to compare noise levels at restaurants nearby.
- Choose quieter times like early dinners or weekdays to avoid peak crowds.
- Be upfront: If the music volume is too loud, ask for it to be lower. A polite inquiry like, "Could you quiet the music for us?"
Adapt to the environment
- Smart seating:
- Choose well-lit corners (better lip-reading) and booths by walls (sound rebounds off walls)
- Ask for seating away from kitchens and bars
- Sit close to those you want to hear
- Helpful tools:
- Use remote microphone systems linked to your hearing aids to boost speech volume.
- Check out hearing aids that are responsive to noisy environments.
Communicate
- Ask for clarification: Instead of simply saying "What?" repeat what you thought was said and ask for clarification. For example, "You saw someone at the store? Who was it?"
- Engage actively: Lean in, make eye contact, and use facial expressions to aid communication.
- Advocate for yourself: Don't try to hide your hearing loss. (Your family and friends likely recognized your hearing loss before you did.) Let others know and offer suggestions that can help them support you.
The takeaway
- Remember: Every sound environment is unique.
- Experiment with different techniques.
- Plan ahead—restaurant selection is the place to start.
Schedule a free hearing screening
Hearing loss is gradual and not benign. Untreated, it increases your risk of social isolation, falling, and dementia.
Check yours with a free, 15-minute hearing screening by an audiologist.
Call 708-599-9500 to schedule yours.
► For facts about hearing loss and hearing aid options, download The Hearing Loss Guide.
Don't let untreated hearing loss threaten your health and happiness.
