Eating out is something to enjoy. Good food, good company, getting away from it all. But if you are hard of hearing, such an evening can quickly become tiring or frustrating. Think of noisy restaurants, echoing rooms or a table mate who speaks just a little too softly. Yet hearing loss doesn’t have to be a killjoy. With a few smart adjustments, you can enjoy an enjoyable dinner.
In this blog, we share practical tips, helpful tricks and do’s and don’ts for a relaxed dinner – without missing half the conversation.
Choose your restaurant with care
The place where you eat really makes a difference. Some restaurants are so noisy that even people without hearing loss can barely understand each other. For example, avoid:
- Large open spaces with hard floors and high ceilings
- Music on stand dance floor
- Full rooms without acoustic attenuation
Rather choose a smaller restaurant, preferably with carpet, curtains or soft wall coverings. These dampen sound and create more pleasant acoustics.
Do you have a favorite restaurant? Call ahead and ask how busy it usually is at the time you want to come. Or if they can reserve a quiet corner for you.
Avoid peak hours
If you go to dinner at 7 p.m. on a Friday night, then you know: it’s going to be busy. Try to avoid peak times. Earlier in the evening or just later is often quieter. Or opt for lunch instead of dinner – usually a lot less noisy.
Choose your place at the table smartly
Where you sit matters more than you think. Choose (or ask for) a seat:
- With your back to the wall: this is how sound comes mostly from the front
- Far from the kitchen or bar: there is often a lot of noise and buzz there
- In a corner or alcove: there you have less trouble with reverberation and other tables
Are you sitting with several people? Ask if you can sit next to the person you prefer to talk to. Or at least diagonally opposite. That way you don’t have to keep turning your head and you can lip read if that helps.
Just give it to
Many people find it difficult to mention at the table that they are hearing impaired. A shame, because if you mention it kindly, people are usually happy to take it into consideration. For example, say:
“I don’t hear very well, so if you talk slowly and look at me, I can follow you better.”
This is not a lament, but simply clear and pleasant for everyone. It often even has a relaxing effect – even for your tablemates.
Get help from staff
Good service does more than bring food. If you notice you are having trouble ordering, briefly explain that you are hearing impaired. For example, ask if they would speak a little slower, or if they could repeat your order to check.
It sounds simple (and it is) but of course it is also convenient to point out your choice on the map. Or you just write it down yourself. Everything is okay – if it helps you, it helps the other person too.
Use technology to your advantage
Do you wear a hearing aid? Don’t put it on the default mode. Many modern hearing aids have a restaurant or noise mode that suppresses background noise and highlights voices better. You can always contact us about the proper setting.
Do you have a directional microphone, hearing amplifier or any other accessory you can put on the table? Feel free to use those. Or turn on a speech-to-text app on your phone if you’re in company that’s fine with that. There are apps that subtitle conversations live – ideal in crowded settings.
Keep the conversation pleasant (and clear)
A few simple habits make the conversation a lot more pleasant:
- Take turns talking. Sounds simple, but is often the most difficult.
- Look at each other while talking. This helps tremendously in following what is being said.
- Speak calmly and clearly, but do not exaggerate. Shouting or exaggerated articulation is actually counterproductive.
- Avoid a lot of background information at once. Short sentences are easier to follow.
And perhaps most importantly, laugh together at misunderstandings. Sometimes you hear “I’ll take the ravioli” as “I’ll take the rally car.” Moments like that are not bad at all – they are part of it and also make it fun again.
Stay connected even if you don’t hear everything
Hearing impairment can make you feel “left out of the conversation. In that case, try not to pretend you understand everything, but hook in honestly:
“Sorry, I missed that for a moment, can you repeat it?”
Or ask someone to catch you up. Most people are happy if you indicate that you want to join them, and they are happy to help you do so. Openness removes tension and makes eating together real together again.
Enjoyment may remain central
All these tips are practical, but above all, don’t forget what it’s all about: a nice evening, good food and conviviality. That works best if you don’t put too much pressure on yourself. If you miss something once, that’s okay. If it’s noisy, try to focus on the company and the atmosphere. And if you really can’t follow a conversation, be kind to yourself. You tried – and that’s already valuable.
Want to eat out more often and make your evening a success? Then do what you feel comfortable with. Practice, try, and learn what works for you. Your hearing loss does not have to be an obstacle to a pleasant evening – as long as you are smartly prepared.
And above all, remember: being hearing impaired doesn’t mean you can’t be social. You just do it your way. And that’s totally fine.
