This Thanksgiving may be the first time we’ve seen family and friends since the beginning of the Pandemic. I’m both excited and a little nervous. Holidays can be difficult for the hard of hearing. Here are some ways you can make it a little easier on yourself.
T is for Technology
Assistive Listening Devices. Use them! These can be something as simple as a Williams Sound PockeTalker or as sophisticated as a Phonak Roger system with multiple microphones.
The PockeTalker is an amplifier with a microphone. The speaker talks into a mic, the listener uses earbuds or a headset. It won’t allow you to hear the conversation at the other end of the table but you will hear at least one person better. The Williams Sound PockeTalker is available at many outlets. Amazon lists them at $184, batteries included.
Your smart phone can act as an assistive listening device, using a detachable mic and wired headphones or earbuds with a downloaded app. Try a few headphones and see what works best for you. If your phone is connected by Bluetooth to the hearing aids, you don’t need headphones. Both Android and iPhones have an app called Sound Amplifier. I haven’t tried either. Consumer reviews are mixed. Please add a comment if you have used either of these. There is a charge for Sound Amplifier. [Addendum: The IOS Hearing Aid-Sound Amplifier offers one month free, then $4.99. Readers seem confused about whether there is a charge — even though I say there is. I don’t have an Android phone so cannot check their charge.]
If you’d rather have instant captions, try Otter.ai, an iPhone app, or Google Live Transcribe for Android phones. You can also use systems like Dragon Dictation. I use Otter and have used Live Transcribe. I recommend both. They are free.
Don’t forget the most basic tech fix of all: a pen and paper.
L is for Location.
The best location for a person with hearing loss depends on the nature of their hearing. I hear better from my right ear, for instance, so I try to position myself with at least one strong voice to my right. That way I can ask that person what was said. For others, sitting at the center of the table may allow them to hear the whole table better.
If there’s background music, sit as far from the speakers as possible, or ask the host to turn the music down — or, preferably, off.
If you end up in a particularly noisy spot, ask if you can change seats with someone. Often the easiest time to do this is between courses, or before dessert. Some hosts move guests around at a dessert as a matter of course, a social tradition that can be useful for the hard of hearing.
C is for Care.
Take care of others. There a few things more emotionally rewarding than doing for someone else. Volunteer to serve dinner at a homeless shelter. Invite friends who may not have anywhere else go. I always like to include people newly arrived in America, who don’t know much about Thanksgiving. Often these are friends of my children’s, whose social network is much farther flung than mine.
There are lots of ways the word Care should be part of your Thanksgiving TLC.
First, take care in how you listen. I think of this as mindful listening. As I wrote in an earlier post, “Watch the impulse to say What? or ‘Huh? Think before you respond. What’s the context of the conversation? What parts of the sentence did you get? Is there a logical missing word? We always tell people with hearing loss not to pretend they’ve heard, not to guess. But guessing can be an effective strategy for getting someone to repeat in a way that makes the whole sentence comprehensible.”
In other words, when asking what was said, you’ll get a much more helpful response if instead of “What?” You ask “Did he say this butter is acid free?” That way the speaker knows you’ve missed “lactose free.” [And for those with lactose intolerance, check out Green Valley lactose-free butter.)
Take care of yourself. When it gets too noisy, take a break in another room. Trying to hear is exhausting. Help serve and clear the table. Wash some dishes. Play with the baby. Go home early if you have to.
The T could also stand for Thankful. I hate to sound sentimental, but remember to be thankful for what you do have, rather than making yourself miserable about what you don’t, like good hearing.
This post is adapted and updated from a previous post. For more about living with hearing loss, read Smart Hearing, available at Amazon.com, or Shouting Won’t Help, available at Amazon and other booksellers
Thanks for the useful reminders, Katherine! I’m thankful for the technology that keeps me connected to family, friends, classes and lectures during this strange and difficult time. A sense of humor is a useful way to deal with hard hearing situations. “The number you have reached is temporarily disconnected/not working” is a good line to use. Give yourself a BIG hug for all the situations you do enjoy and celebrate being alive and well.
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I’m with you on the sense of humor.
And on technology.
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i know you are, Katherine!
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Hi Katherine,
Thanks for such great reminders that can help us stay sane during the holidays…..
FYI…
“Sound Amplifier” app is not listed in the iOs App Store…instead…they have…”Bass Booster”; “hear boost” and “Listening Device”….
Happy Holidays!
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Click on the iPhone link in that paragraph and it will take you to Sound Amplifier for ios. It says it’s free. Am I missing something? Thanks for the info. People should be ware of “sound boosters” = those are just amplifiers and possibly not good for your hearing.
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Just noticed that the only FREE iOS app is Hear Boost…the others cost money.
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Ios Hearing Aid Sound Amplifier offers a free trial. After that it’s $4.99 a month. I downloaded it from the IOS app store. I didn’t like it so deleted it. I
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Sorry..not sure which paragraph you mean…I also use my hearing aids, with the associated iPhone application, which adjusts, loudness, treble and bass.
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but, there is a charge?
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I’ve added this in the text. It’s free for a month, then $4.99.
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Thank you so much, Katherine,
You were my superb editor and now I find you in this new life.
Got my hearing aids, inherited them from my older sister and had them adjusted here in Paris.
Sending you warm regards,
Joan Dupont
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Hello Joan, so nice to hear from you!
Lucky you, in Paris.
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What good suggestions! For technology, I use live Live Caption, and for phone calls, Live Transcribe. I am working to make Live Caption a useful option for me. (I am an Android user.)
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Thanks! I used Live Caption when it first came out, although I’m an iPhone user. It seemed miraculous in those early days. Now I use Otter but both are amazing technology.
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