From family dinners to office parties, the coming months bring ample opportunities to connect with loved ones. For both seasoned hearing aid users and newcomers, navigating holiday events with hearing devices can feel daunting. Yet, with the right strategies and a bit of preparation, hearing aid users can confidently enjoy all their favourite holiday activities.

Kim Galick, Registered Hearing Instrument Specialist and owner of shares her expert tips for staying connected and enjoying the holidays.

1. Optimize your hearing aids for different environments: The holidays are filled with bustling activities, and today's hearing aids come with features designed to make these environments more manageable. 鈥淢ost hearing aids have automatic settings that adjust to the noise level around you,鈥� Galick says. 鈥淏ut for specific environments, like crowded dinner tables or lively parties, you may need to manually adjust the settings for better clarity.鈥� Don鈥檛 hesitate to make these adjustments to focus on the voices around you while minimizing background noise.
2. Pick your seat with care: In loud settings, where conversation can easily be overpowered by background noise, seat selection is key. 鈥淲henever possible, try to sit closer to the person you鈥檙e speaking with and avoid areas with heavy background noise,鈥� Galick advises. 鈥淏y positioning yourself near the centre of the conversation, you鈥檒l hear more clearly and engage more easily.鈥�
3. Use assistive listening devices: For those with Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids, assistive listening devices can further enhance your hearing experience. 鈥淐onsider using a remote microphone or other Bluetooth device during group conversations or when someone is speaking from a distance,鈥� Galick suggests. 鈥淭hese devices connect to your hearing aids, amplifying the voice of the person you鈥檙e listening to and making it easier to hear in noisy environments.鈥�
4. Be open with friends and family: Good communication involves letting your friends and family know how they can help. Galick recommends, 鈥淟et your loved ones know if you鈥檙e struggling to hear certain words or if there鈥檚 too much background noise. Ask them to face you when speaking, avoid talking too quickly, and speak a little louder if necessary. Small adjustments like these make a huge difference in staying engaged.鈥�
5. Take breaks when needed: Holiday gatherings can be overwhelming, especially if you鈥檙e wearing hearing aids for extended periods. Galick suggests, 鈥淚f you feel tired or overwhelmed, take a quick break in a quieter space to recharge. This gives your ears a rest and helps you stay focused when you return to the conversation.鈥�
6. Look after your hearing aids and they'll look after you: Before diving into the holiday season, ensure your hearing aids are in top condition. 鈥淒o a quick check before attending events,鈥� Galick advises. 鈥淢ake sure they鈥檙e clean, batteries are charged, and everything is working as it should. This ensures you鈥檒l get the best performance throughout the festivities.鈥�

鈥淩emember, the goal is to enjoy the season and connect with those around you,鈥� Galick says. 鈥淲ith the right strategies, hearing aids can be a powerful tool, keeping you engaged in every conversation and helping you make the most of the holidays.鈥�

For a free hearing consultation, call Kim Galick at , 604-427-2828 or reach out by email at info@earslangley.com. Find Ears Hearing at , online at  and follow them on .

READ MORE from Ears Hearing Clinic:

3 simple ways to support loved ones with hearing loss over the holidays

Hearing Loss: Separating fact from fiction for better hearing health

Investing in your hearing health: How much do hearing aids cost?