Mealtimes are important across cultures. Food is often more than just a means of nourishment as it provides opportunities such as quality time with family, business meetings impacting future prospects, and meaningful connections with friends. Mealtimes become a necessary time to communicate.
One of the most common concerns reported by adults who are deaf or hard of hearing is communication in noisy environments, with restaurants frequently topping people’s lists of places where they struggle. Restaurants are often loud, with background noise such as dishes clattering, food preparation from the kitchen, the hustle of people being seated and leaving, and often mood music. To add to the challenge, there are conversations everywhere—patrons talk, wait staff take orders, and the host greets and takes reservations. Sheer noise!
When in an environment where there is environmental (background) noise and competing speech (talking) noise, many adults are faced with a frustrating situation. This can lead to myriad feelings such as fatigue after events or feelings of isolation.
Tips to help with restaurant noise
The very nature of restaurants makes it difficult to create a truly quiet environment, but there are strategies and techniques that can be used to manage noise and promote better communication.
Restaurant Selection. When you have input on where to eat, you can prepare in advance and select restaurants that set you up for success. Some restaurants are quieter than others.
When you’ve selected a restaurant, remember that off-hours will generally be less crowded and less noisy. If you can go an hour earlier or later than the most popular mealtime, you may be able to enjoy a quieter atmosphere.
Sometimes we can’t select the restaurant nor avoid popular times. In those scenarios, we can attempt to modify the environment as much as possible. Some tips to help include:
- Sit in the brightest area of the restaurant.
- Sit in a corner of the restaurant with your back to the -corner.
- In a booth, try to sit next to the wall rather than facing out to the restaurant.
- If you have a “better ear,” sit with the better ear closest to everyone and further away from the noise.
- Sit away from the bar, kitchen, or any service stations in the restaurant.
- Avoid sitting next to large parties.
- Sit closest to those you wish to hear the most and consider sitting across from them to enhance lipreading or next to them if louder volume helps more.
Use Your Tools.
- Use assistive listening devices such as remote microphone systems that work with hearing aids to increase the volume of the speaker in relation to the background noise.
- Remember to put the microphone next to or on the person/people you most want to hear.
- Use programs and settings on your hearing aids to help you hear in noise.
- Clarify important information.
- Build listening skills in noise.
- Many aural rehabilitation listening apps provide the opportunity to add noise to practice targets.
- Amazing Hearings Aural rehabilitation specialist, Cindy Nirenberg holds classes each month, private sessions at our office and can help create an exercise program to strengthen listening skills in noise.
- Take listening breaks.
- Try to avoid activities where you must listen before you go to the restaurant. Give yourself a break before you go.
- Excuse yourself to the restroom or for a quick step outside if you are feeling tired or overwhelmed by the effort of listening.
Restaurants are a challenging environment for all listeners, but particularly so if you have a hearing loss. By planning ahead, modifying the environment within your control and using tools, you can increase your likelihood of successful, meaningful conversation.
Amazing Hearing
There’s no reason to live with untreated hearing loss. Schedule a hearing test with Amazing Hearing, so you can get help as soon as possible. We provide comprehensive hearing health services, from tests to hearing aid fittings. Contact us today to learn more!
