If you have hearing loss, one of the most prominent symptoms of the condition is having difficulty staying engaged in group conversations. This is a hard symptom to grapple with, as it can make one feel disconnected and embarrassed, less inclined to participate and more likely to withdraw. But social connection is an integral aspect of physical, mental and emotional well-being. So, we want to talk today about staying engaged.
Mind the Environment
Don’t underestimate the influence of your environment. Your attempts at participating in a group conversation may be kiboshed before anyone says anything. As best as you can, manage your environment to be more conducive to hearing, such as:
- Steer the group to a quieter area of the room
- Turn down any background music, if possible
- Seek out good lighting so you can make good use of non-verbal communication cues
- Wait to have important conversations until you are in a quieter place
Communicate Your Needs Up Front
Don’t struggle in silence! At the beginning of a conversation, state what you might need from the group, or bring it up as the conversation progresses:
- “Could we move somewhere where there’s less distracting background noise? I find it overwhelming and hard to hear you.”
- “I’m having trouble hearing you; could you face me when you’re speaking?”
- “Please talk a little slower/more clearly.”
Don’t Bluff
It’s tempting to simply act like you heard someone if you missed what they said, especially if you’ve had to ask others to repeat themselves a few times already. But bluffing in this manner only sabotages the conversation in the long run. You now have to spend more cognitive energy trying to “catch up” that you can miss more of the conversation, and in all likelihood, your conversation members are going to notice that you’ve disengaged.
Wear Your Hearing Aids
This one may seem obvious, but we know that 80% of people who need hearing aids don’t use them. Hearing aids are vital devices for staying connected, and that’s especially important in group conversations. They can:
- Filter out distracting background noise, making the conversation clearer and easier to follow
- Amplify the sounds of speech, taking care not to distort the sound of what they’re saying, so you don’t miss a word
If you’ve been struggling with following group conversations but have held off on getting hearing aids, now is the time to move. Call us at Aaron's Hearing Aid & Audiology Center today to make an appointment for a consultation.