When you have hearing loss, you encounter listening challenges wherever you turn, whether it’s at work or the comfort of your home. Below are some strategies for better hearing in two common listening environments.
At Work
Whether you’re telecommuting or returning to office life, workplaces can be challenging to navigate.
If you telecommute, before your next video meeting try…
- Syncing your hearing aids. If you wear hearing aids that have Bluetooth connectivity, sync them to your computer, tablet or whatever device you’re using to telecommute for optimum sound clarity.
- Using noise-cancelling headphones. If you don’t have Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, try using noise-cancelling headphones during virtual meetings. Because they block ambient sounds, you’ll have an easier time following the conversation than if you use your computer speakers or earbuds.
- Advocating for yourself. If you are having difficulty following the conversation, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask your colleagues to accommodate your communication needs.
If you’re in the office, try…
- Asking to move to a corner office away from noise or to one with a door.
- Installing a rug and noise-absorbing panels.
- Requesting an amplified or captioned phone.
- Using noise-cancelling headphones for calls.
- Reviewing written meeting agendas and minutes.
At Home
At home, one challenging listening environment is watching TV without turning up the volume and disturbing others. Instead, you can invest in…
- Sound bars. Sound bars are sleek horizontal speakers that sit above or below your television screen and amplify sound better than the built-in speakers can. The multiple speakers inside provide a listening experience similar to surround-sound, but without the financial cost or amount of space required.
- Wireless headphones. If you’re watching a show or movie by yourself, you can wear wireless headphones that connect to your TV using Bluetooth, radio-frequency (RF) or infrared (IR). These headphones typically connect to a base that plugs into the headphone jack on your TV and are over-ear models, meaning they can be worn at the same time as hearing aids.
- Closed captions. While some claim closed captions can be distracting, they are an important and useful tool to help you not miss any key auditory information.
For more communication strategies or to schedule a hearing test, call the experts at Hearing Services of Santa Barbara today.
