Everyone has trouble hearing in certain situations

Even folks who have “normal” or healthy hearing can have difficulty distinguishing speech sounds in noisy environments from time to time. It’s a completely normal experience. Once we’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss and properly fit with hearing aids, our hope is that we’ll experience total clarity wherever we go. While that would be ideal, hearing perfection can only be aspired to, but not necessarily achieved. 

 

There are a few simple steps you can take to make sure you’re setting yourself up for hearing successfully no matter where you’re going or what you’re doing. This little bit of extra consideration will make a big, big difference in your overall experience, and will keep you engaged with friends, family, and activities, no matter what you might be up to. 

Location, location, location

Going out to dinner with a small (or large group)? Kindly ask your host if you can choose a seat that will best support your hearing. When tables are seated near an open kitchen or a restroom — or any other high traffic area — the amount of noise you’re processing will greatly increase. 

 

You might initially feel uncomfortable about asking your house to accommodate you, but we can assure you that most folks will be more than happy to do what’s best in this situation. After all, you’ve been invited to the party, surely they want you to have the best time you can. 

 

Another important tip when it comes to dining at restaurants with small or large groups is requesting that you be seated at an end of the table, since being seated between two other guests can create crosstalk situations that can make following the conversation more difficult. Being seated at an end can help you focus on your conversation and where speech sounds are coming from more easily. 

Preparation is everything

If you wear hearing aids that are powered by traditional batteries, then we’d suggest you make certain you have fresh batteries in them before you go out to a social gathering. Losing battery power in the middle of an event could cause you to have to leave earlier than you’d probably like to, or, if you’re choosing to stick it out, create a stark reminder of why getting your hearing tested and your ears properly fit with technology was so important in the first place. 

 

Even if you just did put fresh batteries in your devices, it’s probably a good idea to bring an extra set along with you just in case you have any power mishaps. Swap out the failing battery for a new one, and you’re good to go!

 

If you wear a rechargeable battery-powered hearing aid, then make certain that you’ve given your devices ample time to in their charging dock to be fully powered before heading out of the house, so they provide you optimum performance throughout the entire event. 

Consider accessories for an even better experience

Sometimes you need a more specialized type of control over your hearing aids, depending on the situation that you’re in. 

 

Because we want everyone in our care to have the best hearing experience possible, the Beltone family has created a variety of accessories that augment and support your hearing aids, improving your ability to listen, comprehend, and engage. 

 

Two of our favorites for social situations are the Beltone Remote Control and the Beltone myPAL (Micro and Pro editions).

 

The Remote Control is a wonderful accessory because it is designed to help you fine-tune your hearing aids in different listening environments. It’s small, discrete, but has an easily readable display and simple to use interface. Should you be at dinner, a party, a game, or another event, your remote can help you enjoy it to the fullest. (Keep in mind that most aids are now smartphone-compatible and you can use a Remote Control app at no charge!)

 

The myPAL is another accessory we love, because it really helps you focus on what you want to hear. The myPAL is a very powerful microphone that can wirelessly stream audio directly to your hearing aid, giving you crystal clear audio even in noisy environments. You can place your myPAL on the dinner table to hear guests at your table over the noise in the restaurant, or place it in front of the person you want to hear and, voila, pristine audio. What’s more, you can even use your remote to control the settings on your myPAL. A fully integrated system!  

 

Want to learn more about how you can make the most of your hearing experience? Contact Beltone Tristate TODAY! We’d love to help you hear your best.