Eating out with friends can be a real treat, but if you have hearing loss, a noisy restaurant can really put a damper on the experience. Here are a few tips from Dr. Booth to help ensure you enjoy every moment of conversation at the luncheon table.
- Advocate for yourself. If the proposed restaurant is known to be a bustling one, suggest a quieter locale.
- Make a reservation in advance. Ask to be seated in the quietest area of the restaurant, away from the kitchen, music speakers, large group seating areas, fans or vents. If you’re unable to make a reservation, don’t hesitate to ask the host or hostess to find you a quiet table. Even if it means waiting a few extra minutes, it will be worth it if it means you’re able to communicate with your friends.
- Sit with your back to the room. Most hearing aids have directional microphones that focus on what is in front of you in a noisy setting. Put the room (noise) behind you and your friends in front of you.
- Use your hearing aid app to turn down the bass in your hearing aids and turn up the noise reduction.
Remember that noisy situations are difficult for everyone, especially for those with hearing loss. If you are struggling to communicate and enjoy outings with friends, schedule an appointment with Dr. Booth to discuss more strategies for success.