RESOURCE FOR HEARING LOSS

Useful Tips

Navigate everyday situations more smoothly with these practical tips
to help you hear and communicate comfortably, wherever you are.

Dining Out.

  1. Pick a Spot: Choose restaurants with soft furnishings (like carpet, curtains, or booths), which help absorb sound. Quiet restaurants or off-peak dining times can reduce background noise.

  2. Request Strategic Seating: Ask for a seat in a quieter area, away from the kitchen, speakers, or large groups, to minimize distractions.

  3. Lighting Matters: Choose well-lit areas so you can see facial expressions and read lips if needed.

  4. Sit Smart: Position yourself to see everyone at the table; circular or square tables work best for easy conversation.

  5. Use Hearing Devices: Consider using a directional microphone or enabling noise reduction features on your hearing aids if possible.

  6. Prep Ahead: Review the menu online so you can focus more on the conversation than on reading.

  7. Communicate Needs: Let the server know if you may need clarification or if you'd like to sit in a quieter area.

Like Yelp, but for noise! This app helps you toe measure sound levels. Find a quiet restaurant you can hear and connect with others, and protect your hearing health.

Going to the Movies.

Closed Captioning (CC): Individual devices display captions on a screen attached to a seat, showing dialogue and sound effects for the user only.

Open Captioning (OC): Captions are visible on the main screen for everyone in the audience, similar to subtitles.

Assistive Listening Devices (ALD): FM or infrared devices that amplify sound, typically delivered via headphones, for enhanced clarity.

Loop Systems: Provides direct audio via telecoil-compatible hearing aids or cochlear implants, reducing background noise and amplifying dialogue.

Personal Captioning Devices: Wearable devices like smart glasses that display captions directly in front of the user’s eyes for a personal caption experience.

Contact your theater to find out what is available near you.

  1. Choose Accessible Screenings: Look for theaters with closed captioning devices or designated accessible screenings with open captions. Some theaters offer special showings with assistive listening devices.

  2. Pick Your Spot: Sitting closer to the screen can help you focus on captions or lip-reading without distractions from other patrons.

  3. Use Theater Hearing Devices: Many theaters provide FM, infrared, or loop systems for amplified sound. Ask about available devices at the box office.

  4. Adjust Settings: If you wear hearing aids or cochlear implants, activate any "telecoil" or "loop" settings if available, which may sync with the theater’s sound system.

  5. Plan with Friends: If you’re going with others, share your needs so they can help you find the best seating and minimize any noise that might interfere with your experience.

FUN FACT: Hawaii was the first State in the U.S. to require movie theaters to offer open-captioned showings, which initially passing legislation in 2015. The law was adjusted in 2017 to reduce the number of required open-captioned showings per week and allow theaters to use closed-captioning devices, such as lightweight eyewear as an alternative.

Social Events.

  1. Hosting Gives You More Control

    By hosting your own social events, you can create a comfortable environment tailored to your hearing needs, allowing for better communication and connection.

  2. If You Aren’t Hosting, Choose Your Spot Wisely
    Opt for seating away from loudspeakers and close to friends for easier conversations.

  3. Get Enough Rest Before the Event
    This will enhance your focus and engagement, making it easier to communicate and enjoy the experience.

  4. Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Clarification
    If you miss something, feel free to ask someone to repeat or clarify. 

  5. Take Listening Breaks
    Giving yourself regular breaks during conversations allows your brain to rest, helping to reduce fatigue and improve overall comprehension.

  6. Use Visual Cues
    Pay attention to body language and facial expressions, which can provide context to conversations.

  7. Utilize Technology
    Consider using captioning apps or remote mics to help follow along in conversations, especially in large gatherings.

Phonak Roger On - Designed to enhance conversations in noisy environments and at a distance, making it ideal for social events. Its directional capabilities pick up speech from the correct side, integrating audio cues with visual ones for clarity. It automatically adapts to different sound environments and has unlimited built-in receivers, providing flexibility and ease of use in various social settings.

Watching Television.

  1. Use Closed Captioning: Enable closed captioning to follow along with dialogue and sound cues, enhancing comprehension

  2. Optimize Volume: Adjust the volume to a level that’s comfortable for you, ensuring you can hear dialogue clearly without straining.

  3. Use a Streaming Device: Use a streaming device that connects to your hearing aids or cochlear implants, allowing sound to stream directly for a clearer audio experience.

  4. Limit Distractions: Reduce background noise from other sources, like loud appliances or conversations, to focus better on the show.

  5. Sit Close to the Screen: Position yourself closer to the TV for better visual clarity, which can help with understanding action and dialogue.

Stream sound from your TV, computer, or music system directly to your hearing aids or CI. Turns your device into wireless headphones with a 22-foot range.

Doctor’s Appointments.

If your doctor is unwilling or unable to
communicate effectively - Find a new one!

  1. Bring a Companion: Take someone along to help catch any missed details.

  2. Let Staff Know: Inform the doctor’s office about your hearing needs beforehand so they can be prepared.

  3. Use Assistive Devices: Consider using a hearing aid with a telecoil setting or a device like Roger On™ to hear conversations more clearly.

  4. Request Important Details in Writing: This can be especially useful for remembering medical instructions, medication changes, or follow-up steps. Written details help ensure that you don’t miss any critical information.

  5. Ask About Telehealth Visits: Telehealth can provide a quiet, controlled environment, and if you use hearing aids or assistive listening devices, they may be able to connect directly to your device, allowing for clearer communication.

In the Workplace.

  1. Phone Conversations: Use assistive devices or captioned phones to improve clarity. If possible, request to use email or messaging for quick exchanges.

  2. In-Person Meetings: Arrive early to select a favorable seating position, ideally facing speakers to facilitate lip reading and body language cues. Ask for meeting notes or agendas in advance.

  3. Online Meetings: Enable captions when available, and use a headset for clearer audio. Politely request that speakers turn on their cameras, as visual cues can help with understanding.

  4. Office Technology: Familiarize yourself with any workplace accessibility tools like telecoil-compatible phones, captioned software, or other audio-enhancing devices that can help you stay connected and productive.

  5. Office Environment Adjustments: Minimize background noise by adding soft furnishings like carpet, curtains, or acoustic panels, which help absorb sound and create a more comfortable listening space. Adjust your seating layout to reduce exposure to noisy areas, like break rooms or open corridors, for better focus and reduced strain.

  6. Communication Ground Rules: Set clear communication practices with colleagues to ease conversations. Encourage face-to-face dialogue, limit background noise when possible, and ask team members to rephrase rather than repeat if something isn’t understood. Establishing these practices can foster a more inclusive, hearing-friendly environment.

CapTel functions like a regular telephone but provides real-time captions of everything the caller says. Users can both listen to the caller and read the captions on a clear, bright display. This service is available at no cost to those with hearing loss, thanks to federal and state funding through the ADA.

The Roger Table Mic is ideal for in-person meetings, enhancing audio clarity in large rooms and noisy environments. It connects multiple mics in a network, letting you hear multiple speakers from a distance and linking seamlessly to computers or phones for calls, ensuring you're fully engaged.