With sunny days more and more common in Savannah, it’s time for summer barbecues! When prepping for a barbecue, you might buy a few ears of corn, some hot dogs, a couple of burgers and some charcoal. In addition to the supplies, it’s nice to have a few handy strategies in your back pocket for accommodating your hearing loss.
Let’s look at a few strategies you can employ for a communication-friendly barbecue.
1. Lower the Music
Loud music can add some fun to the party, but it can also make speech difficult to understand. When you have hearing loss, your brain is more likely to fuse like-sounding words amidst background noise.[1] Lowering the music even just a little can significantly improve communication and lead to a better barbecue.
2. Lay Out Round Tables
It’s easier to understand people when you can watch their lip movements and body language. In addition to the visual cues, facing the speaker means they’re sending sound your way, making it that much clearer. If you’re having a large barbecue, think about setting up round or square tables where you can look directly at whoever is speaking.
3. Position Yourself Strategically
If you’re sitting at a longer table where you can’t see everyone’s faces, sit next to the people you think you’ll talk to most. Sitting away from any music or grilling areas will also reduce background noise.
4. Wear Hearing Aids
Hearing aids collect and amplify sound to make communication easier. Some devices even offer advanced sound processing that isolates and amplifies speech while suppressing irrelevant background noise, a crucial feature during busy barbecues.
With a few simple communication tips, a professionally programmed pair of hearing aids and enough hot dogs to fit the number of buns you bought, you can set yourself up for an amazing barbecue. If you need new hearing aids or want to schedule a hearing aid service appointment, contact Audiology and Hearing Aid Services today.
[1] Lina A. J. Reiss and Michelle R. Molis, “An Alternative Explanation for Difficulties with Speech in Background Talkers: Abnormal Fusion of Vowels Across Fundamental Frequency and Ears,” Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology 22 (2021): 443–461, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-021-00790-7.