The Platinum Jubilee – Don’t Miss Out!

Welcome back to the blog everyone, the weather is getting better and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is just around the corner! Is your community is hosting a street party? How will you be spending the extra two days off work? However your long weekend is shaping up, for many of us it will involve being around family and friends. With that in mind, it’s worth thinking about how to have a great time regardless of hearing loss.

What makes large gatherings tricky for hearing?

Celebrations are noisy: whether it’s large groups of people or music, this can be a real challenge for those with hearing loss and for hearing aid wearers.

Unfamiliar voices: catching up with those we haven’t seen in a while can be tough when we’re not accustomed to their voice.

Tricky environments: trying to hear someone from the other end a table or over the sizzle of the BBQ can make us feel as though we’re missing out.

Stress: Sometimes large gatherings can be stressful and cause tinnitus to worsen.

How can we make sure we don’t miss anything?

• Preparation! Think about who you will be seeing over the long weekend and list the issues you might face; this could be a particular speaker you struggle with, noisy children being present or knowing that there will be music playing.
• Lip-reading: this is potentially something you already do but don’t forget how useful this can be. If you’ve not had to do it in a while, it might be worth practicing a little in advance.
• The environment: who can you sit with that will be a help not a hindrance to your hearing? Is there someone who can be your hearing buddy if you do start to struggle?

What about hearing-aid specific advice?

• Your hearing aids are a big part of everyday life but at busy social times, they are absolutely essential. My advice when it comes to your hearing aids is:
• Wear them! It sounds obvious but now is not the time to struggle on. If you are not getting on with them, they may need resetting so get this planned ahead of time.
• Add them to your packing list! If you do get away this Bank Holiday, don’t forget any extras you may need; this includes, batteries or charging cases, wax guards, cleaning kits etc.
• Look after them! If you’re going away and are faced with a swimming pool, don’t forget that hearing aids are not big fans of water and chlorine!
• Consider additional accessories; there is some fantastic technology available to help with group situations, the TV etc that work with your existing aids. Again, if you would like to try some new technology, get this arranged in advance so you have plenty of time to get used to your new kit.

If any of the above resonates with you, please do get in touch by calling the clinic or sending an email.

I do hope that this all helps and that you have a fantastic long weekend.

Take care,

Peter