‘Tis the season to break bread with friends and family. This year, make sure you are catering to all your guests, including your vegan niece, your gluten-intolerant neighbor and your sister with hearing loss.
Below is a list of what you can do to make sure your holiday party is inclusive to your guests with hearing loss.
Create a Quiet Area
Background noise such as a football game on TV or a competitive card game can make it hard to carry on a conversation, especially for those with hearing loss. In order to ensure that all your guests have the opportunity to catch up, set aside one area of the house as a quiet room.
Close the Drapes
During the holidays the kitchen is always busy. Clanging pots and pans can make it hard for your guests to hear over the commotion. One way to help keep background noises in check is to incorporate soft materials that help dampen the sound, such as rugs, tablecloths and curtains.
Set the Lighting
Many individuals living with hearing loss rely on lip-reading to help them follow the conversation. Instead of dimming the lights to make for a moody and intimate dinner party, you should keep the room bright for those who use visual cues. Floor lamps can be especially helpful if your room is too dark.
Assign Seating
Not only are nametag holders another great way to add a festive touch to any holiday table – there are always plenty of options at Katy Printers – they can help you set your guests up for success. Design the seating plan so those with hearing loss are furthest away from pockets of noise, such as the children’s table and the kitchen.
Decrease the Volume
Since there is already a lot of background noise coming from the table, there is no need to add anything more. Consider turning down, or better yet turning off, the holiday music while eating.
There is a good chance that someone invited to your holiday gathering has hearing loss. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 15% of all American adults report some trouble hearing.
To learn more about making your gathering hearing loss-friendly or to schedule an appointment with a hearing loss expert, contact Today’s Hearing today.