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By: Dana Luzon, Au.D., FAAA, Board-Certified Doctor of Audiology
As the holidays approach, social gatherings, entertainment, and time with family become far more prominent. This time of year is about connecting with what helps you embrace and celebrate the holidays. But if you have a hearing impairment or other communication issues, connecting can be difficult, both for you and your loved ones and friends. Here are my five favorite tips for hearing happy this holiday season.
1. Work out your ears — and your brain. Research shows that musicians are better able to pick out voices amid background noise than people who don’t play music, but it is possible for anyone to learn these skills. When listening to music, the natural inclination is to pay attention to fluctuations of notes, which improves some aspects of hearing and helps to differentiate certain vocal tones from other sounds. Just be careful with the volume setting when listening to music on earbuds, and listen to music at an acceptable level.
2. Dine strategically. Don’t let fear of hearing loss disrupt your social skills; loss of consistent communication with others affects hearing, but remaining social sharpens those skills. Don’t be afraid to remind family that you have difficulty hearing, and try sitting at the end of the table so there are fewer conversations to follow. Dining in a smaller group also helps you focus in on a conversation.
3. Have your hearing aids serviced. Make an appointment to get your hearing equipment checked and cleaned prior to gatherings. Often, small adjustments or software installations can make a difference in how you hear.
4. Pack your accessories. If there’s no time to schedule a cleaning before your holiday gathering, pack extra batteries, a cleaning kit for your aids, or even an extra set of hearing aids to stay prepared.
5. Consider investing in new technology. If you were fit for your hearing aids a few years ago, there may be a much more advanced option available now. Even today’s base model may offer significant improvements in acoustics and features over higher-end models from a few years ago. These advances could make a huge difference in your life without putting pressure on your wallet.
Hearing testing is simple and painless. At Audiology & Hearing Aids of the Palm Beaches, we take a concierge approach to hearing care. We work closely with you to make sure we meet all of your hearing healthcare needs. If you are diagnosed with hearing loss, we work with you and your family to set goals for your hearing treatment. We follow your progress during a 75-day retraining period to make sure you are comfortable with how you are hearing and to make sure those devices are meeting your listening needs. Included with the treatment plan are three years of office visits, a three-year manufacturer warranty including loss insurance, free batteries for the life of the devices, and a home for your hearing healthcare.
Most people see hearing devices as a simple retail purchase: all you need to do is buy hearing aids, possibly even off the shelf. But hearing devices by themselves are not effective — they are not calibrated automatically. Put simply, they are not “one size fits all.” The full benefits of a hearing aid require a trained professional to set up the aid, teach you how to use it, and customize it specifically for you and the listening environments that are most important to you. Hearing loss is a health problem; it requires a healthcare professional to treat it. Integrating your devices with your lifestyle is essential to achieving better hearing, and a doctor of audiology is the most qualified, trained professional to do this. Investment in better hearing should be measured by the results you experience every day.
Come in to Audiology & Hearing Aids of the Palm Beaches, and we will have you hearing better this holiday season! Just because hearing loss is common doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be treated as soon as possible. Why wait to improve your quality of life, be engaged in group and family conversation, and love the way you hear this year? For more information on improving your hearing for the holidays, contact Audiology & Hearing Aids of the Palm Beaches.
Originally from Southern NJ, Dana Luzon received her undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from the Richard Stockton College of NJ, and continued on to receive her Doctorate of Audiology at Salus University’s residential program. Her varied clinical experiences throughout her doctoral studies include: VA hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, ENT and private practice settings. Her professional interests include: audiologic rehabilitation and progressive tinnitus devices. Her interests in the field outside of the clinic include: Humanitarian Audiology, and Audiology Awareness. Dr. Luzon currently lives in West Palm Beach, FL.
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