The holiday season is upon us and many of us with hearing loss and late deafness have to figure out strategies to get us through the holiday parties, family gatherings and shopping. OH! you don’t have a strategy? You just plan to skip the office party? the holiday family dinner? or sit quietly through it all? Well, that’s a strategy plan but not necessarily a good one.
You should be part of the festivities without making yourself uncomfortable or feeling you’re making others uncomfortable. Our only responsibility is to make ourselves comfortable and everything around us accessible. Your loved ones want to be heard and you want to hear them. Clearly, you have more than enough time to put things in place.
I recently found out that Oticon has what’s called a partner microphone aka: connect line microphone. I have the streamline link already and I am going to my audiologist to try out the microphone. It allows me to have a conversation one on one in a party or family situation or even a counseling session much more easily or freely. Here’s the link. http://bit.ly/tt4SSU
I realize not everyone can afford these items but there are other options as well. Bringing paper and pen is an option we all have used at one time or another. Educating everyone around us, letting them know what we need to hear the conversation and be part of the exchange of information. I know I want to feel part of the holiday season and I don’t want any reader feeling left out as well. So, how about sharing your thoughts and your ideas on how other hearing impaired and deaf individuals can make it through their holiday season without feeling left out.
Two years ago I bought a hearing instrument system over the internet called the Companion Mic. It consists of three transmitters and one receiver which the HOH wears. So, you can hear three people at the one time, including yourself. I think it’s in the vicinity of the $600 to $700 range or thereabouts. I found it good.
Also, I have a Microlink system for four different environmental cues. This one is more expensive. I use this system in classes and meetings. It’s only on one to one basis.
Also should have mentioned, always carry extra batteries on you. I keep them in my bag, car, office and home.
Especially difficult with a background of Christmas songs too! I end up having to lip read!
does anyone else have the distortion factor? I can’t hear well and what I do hear is tinny sounding like an am transistor radio not tuned in right? so even increasing the volume of what someone is saying…I might still not understand it. I have three grandkids under 4..how do I communicate with them? this is all new to me..I am very down.
Fiona, it sounds like you have tinnitus. Thats the sounds u hear like a transistor radio. You are also describing something called poor speech discrimination, where we cant’ make out what’s being said even if we ask to turn up the volume. Do u wear hearing aids? Have you seen a good audiologist? This is very important. Have u discussed and seen a good ENT Doctor to make sure you don’t have something as simple as wax in your ears?
Also, do consider joining our group list where people who share the same problems can discuss it with you. Go to our website at http://www.saywhatclub.com and click the link “join us.” It’s free, no dues, no fees. We are an online support group. The people are terrific