Check out this list of fun new ways to incorporate hearing loss-friendly activities into your daily life.
Finding and using the right tools and strategies for hearing loss can help you improve your daily routine and ease of navigating the world. Whether you’re new to using assistive devices or looking for ways to make your routine more hearing loss-friendly, this list of tips is designed to help you navigate your day with ease. An audiologist is another great resource for hearing loss tips if you have questions.
Make Use of Assistive Listening Devices
If you don’t have them already, there are a variety of assistive listening devices (ALDs), including hearing aids, that can make everyday activities more accessible.
Personal amplifiers are portable devices that amplify sound directly into your ears and can be especially helpful in noisy environments like restaurants or large gatherings. FM systems are often used in educational settings or large venues. They work by transmitting sound directly from a microphone (worn by the speaker) to your hearing aids, reducing background noise and improving clarity. Loop systems are found in many public places and transmit sound directly to your hearing aids via a magnetic field, allowing you to hear more clearly in environments like theaters, airports, or museums.
Connect Your Devices to Your Car, TV, or Phone
Many modern hearing aids come with Bluetooth capabilities, allowing you to connect them directly to your car’s audio system, TV, or smartphone. This feature is convenient and ensures you receive sound directly into your ears without interference from background noise.
Connecting your devices to your car’s audio system allows you to hear navigation instructions, phone calls, and music more clearly. You can adjust the volume independently of the car’s speakers, making it easier to focus on the road and minimize distractions.
Syncing assistive listening devices to the television may help you enjoy your favorite shows and movies at a volume that’s clear and comfortable for you and others in the room. Many hearing aids also allow you to customize the sound settings, such as adjusting the bass or treble, to suit your preferences.
Lastly, when hearing aids are connected to your smartphone, you can stream phone calls, music, and other audio directly to them. This connection also allows you to adjust the sound settings via an app, providing a tailored listening experience.
Get a Captioned Phone
A CapTel captioned phone can be a game-changer by showing captions of phone conversations in real time. These phones display text of what’s being said on a large screen, allowing you to read anything you cannot hear over the phone. CapTel’s captioned phones are a great (and at no cost to people with hearing loss) way to feel confident you are catching every word of your phone calls. With many options, the CapTel team will help you find the right captioned phone for your needs.
Use Smart Features for Notifications
There are smart devices designed to help you stay connected without relying solely on sound for notifications like timers, phone messages, and doorbells. Consider using light or vibrating alarms to alert you to new messages, phone calls, or household timers on your phone. For example, you can set your smartphone to flash its light or vibrate when you receive a text or call. Similarly, vibrating alarm clocks can be placed under your pillow to wake you up with a gentle vibration rather than a loud noise.
Many smart home systems, like doorbells and smoke detectors, now come with visual or vibration alerts. These devices can be connected to your phone or a smart hub, ensuring that you never miss an important notification.
Stay Informed and Connected
Finally, one of the best tips for navigating hearing loss is to stay informed about new technologies and strategies. Join online forums, attend local support groups, or subscribe to newsletters focused on hearing loss. Staying connected with others who share similar experiences can provide valuable insights and make the journey feel like a community. You can also have regular visits with your audiologist to talk about any new technology or information that may better assist you and your communication preferences.
Incorporating these hearing loss tips into your daily routine can make a significant difference in how you experience the world around you. For more hearing tips and tricks, make sure to visit the CapTel blog.
