The holidays are a time for joy, connection, and making memories. But they are also incredibly noisy with clinking silverware, overlapping conversations, Christmas music, and kids laughing. A festive family gathering is one of the most challenging listening environments you can face.
If you wear hearing aids, navigating these lively gatherings takes a little preparation so you can focus on what matters most: connecting with your loved ones.
Here is your checklist to get your hearing ready for the holiday season.
- Schedule a Pre-Holiday “Clean and Check”
Just like you’d get your car tuned up before a long road trip, your hearing aids need a tune-up before the holiday marathon. Over time, wax, moisture, and debris can clog the microphones and receivers, making your devices sound weak or muffled.
Call our office to schedule a quick clean and check. We’ll clean your devices, change the wax guards, and ensure the microphones are functioning properly so you don’t miss a single punchline at the dinner table.
- Stock Up on Supplies
There is nothing worse than sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner and hearing the dreaded “low battery” chime—only to realize you left your spares at home. Before traveling or hosting, double-check your stock of:
- Fresh batteries (or ensure your portable charger is fully powered)
- Replacement wax guards and domes
- Cleaning brushes and cloths
- Level Up with Assistive Listening Devices
Even the most advanced hearing aids can struggle when multiple people are talking over background music. This is where Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) come in. They bypass the room noise and stream the speaker’s voice directly into your hearing aids.
If you want to drastically improve your holiday hearing, consider these two powerhouse accessories:
- The Starkey Table Mic: This device is an absolute game-changer for large family dinners. You simply place the small, circular microphone in the center of the dining table. Its omnidirectional microphones automatically detect where the speaker’s voice is coming from, filtering out the background clatter, and streaming the conversation directly into your Starkey hearing aids.
- The Phonak Roger System: Phonak’s Roger microphones act like a smart, wireless bridge. Whether it’s the Roger On (which you can point at the person speaking) or the Roger Select (which sits on the table), this technology is specifically designed to conquer extreme background noise. It helps cut through the “cocktail party” chatter, allowing you to focus on the person across from you without the auditory fatigue.
- Set Your Environment Up for Success
Technology is amazing, but a few strategic adjustments to your environment can make a world of difference:
- Claim the best seat: Sit with your back to the primary noise source (like the kitchen or the stereo) and try to sit in a well-lit area so you can easily see people’s faces for visual cues.
- Advocate for yourself: Gently remind your family to get your attention before they start speaking, and don’t be afraid to ask the host to turn the background music down a few notches during the meal.
Don’t Sit on the Sidelines This Year
Hearing loss can sometimes make us want to withdraw from the chaos of family gatherings, but you deserve to be part of the conversation. If you have noticed changes in your hearing or if you want to try a Starkey Table Mic or Phonak Roger device before your next gathering, reach out to our Comprehensive Ear & Hearing today!