Restaurant Interiors Are Not Created for People with Hearing Loss

Dealing with hearing loss when you’re in a restaurant can be very frustrating. And restaurants happen to be one of the most difficult hearing environments for people with hearing loss.

Background noise, seating arrangements, and other environmental factors affect how much a person with hearing loss can engage in conversation. A restaurant will always be a challenging listening environment for someone with hearing loss. However, following our tips can help a person with hearing loss have better conversations in restaurants.

Also, if you notice that a loved one is avoiding dining out, there are ways to talk about hearing loss with loved ones.

It is difficult to hear in some restaurants for a number of reasons. Fortunately, understanding design, surfaces, and seating arrangement will help a person make choices that improve hearing in restaurants. When selecting a place to eat it’s important to consider the interior and ask for a seating location that supports better hearing.

Materials – sounds echo off hard materials like tile, concrete, stone. If possible select places that have soft elements too like tablecloths, curtains, and upholstered chairs or benches.

Vents – sitting underneath an air conditioning or heating vent may make it harder to follow the conversation.

Speakers or Loud Music – as much as possible choose restaurants that don’t play loud background music. Before being seated request to sit away from speakers.

Booths are Better – if you can, request a booth over a table. Booths help limit some of background sounds. If the booth is upholstered with fabric it’s an even better option because the surface will help absorb some sound.

Choose Your Seat Wisely

Choosing your seat is an important choice when a person with hearing loss dines out. Think about these things before sitting down and you’ll get a spot that supports better hearing!

• Windows – is light coming through a window? If so, make sure the people with whom you’re dining sit facing the light. If someone has their face in shadow it makes reading their lips much more difficult.
• Sit in the Middle – sitting at the end of the table makes it more difficult to follow who is talking and lip read if you need extra help understanding.
• Dine by a Person You Want to Converse – if you are in a large group dine next to a person that you want to talk to. It’s also good if you are comfortable with them and they can fill you in with the things that you may still miss.

You Can Enjoy Conversation When Dining in Restaurants

Using hearing aids features can really help people enjoy dining out again. Hearing aids may have programs for restaurants – if they do, make sure to use them! Accessory devices may also help in public places like restaurants. There are microphones that can sit on the table, pick up the conversation, and stream to the hearing aids.

Any accessories or programs specifically designed for use in public spaces may make a huge difference – when they are used properly. While there is an extra cost for accessory devices, they are worth the added investment because they help solve issues people with hearing loss experience in challenging listening environments. Every person needs personalized advice, come visit us to receive your own assessment.

Let Us Help You Enjoy Dining Out by Making an Appointment Today

At Texan Renew Hearing Center, we know that how challenging it can be to hear in crowded, public places. Restaurants, hotels, and churches are not designed with the hearing loss community in mind. However, we’re experts are helping our patients hear in the most important environments for them. During a person’s free consultation we ask questions to understand the person’s lifestyle, current frustrations, and wants. We take time to teach you how to adjust hearing aids to different environments. We work with you so that you keep doing the things you love. Come see us and say yes to enjoying restaurants again!

Please contact us or call (512) 359-3935 today to schedule a consultation appointment.

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