November marks the start of the holiday season, a time that is both full of anticipation and stress.. Often holidays are an opportunity to gather, host celebrations, and catch up with the ones we care about most. It’s important to be respectful and conscious of those around us to ensure everyone feels included and supported amongst the chaos of the season. Some degree of hearing loss affects approximately 48 million Americans and 1.5 billion people globally. Chances are you know someone who has some degree of hearing loss, whether it’s your aging grandparents, a friend, or a cousin. If you are hosting an event this season, attending a family get-together, or gathering with friends, here are a few simple ways you can support a loved one with hearing loss.
Hosting an Event
If you are planning to host an event this season, you can intentionally set up your environment so everyone is included and has a memorable time. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or a “friendsgiving” this year, these events can become noisy and overstimulating, making it difficult for individuals with hearing loss to engage in meaningful conversation or activities. By lowering or turning off background noise, such as music or the television, you can eliminate excessive noise that may prevent individuals from engaging in conversation. While everyone loves a good holiday song or a football game in the background, your guests with hearing loss, as well as those with English as a second language or ADHD, would be grateful to have one less barrier to fully engaging and contributing to conversations.
Overlapping conversations and unintentional raising of voice can also create a barrier to focus in conversations. As a host, you can gently remind people to lower their voices or suggest an activity where individuals will likely speak one at a time. Little adjustments like these can create a holiday celebration that is more inclusive and meaningful for everyone.
Communicating Effectively
Making an intentional shift in how you communicate can help your loved one with hearing loss feel seen and respected. It’s easy to simply talk without considering how the person we are communicating with is processing what we say. When we do, we can create opportunities for meaningful conversations. Whether you are a speaker at your work holiday party or gathering with family, here are a few tips to help conversations be less challenging and more rewarding:
- Be face-to-face with the person you are talking to
- Speak clearly and enunciate
- Eliminate distractions and adjust background noises
- Brighten the space or add additional lighting
- Be conscious of your pace of speaking
- Don’t cover your mouth
- Be patient and listen
- Don’t actively chew gum or any food while talking
- Repeat or rephrase when needed
These tips can help individuals with hearing loss make better use of lip reading while fostering intentional, meaningful conversations.
Being an Advocate
The best way to support your loved one this holiday season is by asking what they may need. Hearing loss affects everyone differently, and each person has their own preferred communication style. Asking what they may need can make them feel seen, accepted, and safe, knowing they have an advocate on their side. Being an advocate could look like taking the initiative to turn off the background noise or, if you see your loved one isolating themselves, having a one-on-one conversation.
Taking The Next Step To Create Inclusive Spaces
All spaces, from family gatherings to conferences and work events, should be inclusive environments that foster clear communication and equal opportunities for participation. At Caption Pros, we advocate for greater accessibility by providing award-winning captioning and finding creative solutions to make workspaces and events inclusive for everyone. Contact us to learn how you can make your part of the world more inclusive.