Hearing loss success story: Amanda

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Amanda from south east London shares her top tips on how to navigate Christmas with hearing loss. This is Amanda’s first Christmas since being fitted with state-of-the-art hearing aids.

“I think the best gift you can give yourself is the gift of better hearing,” Amanda says. “I’m looking forward to actually being able to watch TV together as a family, perhaps without the subtitles!

“I’m also looking forward to socialising in busier environments and being able to hear the conversation, not being worried and nervous about going or missing out on the fun. This Christmas, I can really be a part of it. I’d also like to take my son to a pantomime this year. I’d like to be able to enjoy that with him.

“But I suppose most of all I’m just looking forward to being able to hear better.”

Amanda knows what it feels like to be left out. So, to help others who suffer from hearing loss, or who might have a family member or loved one who might not be able to hear very well, Amanda’s giving you her top tips for helping someone with hearing loss this Christmas.

Amanda’s top tips

1. Tell your friends and family that you can’t hear very well, that’s the first thing. Ask them to be really patient with you and not to get annoyed if they have to repeat themselves.

2. Think about the simple things, like turning on the subtitles on the Christmas movie or turning down the music so you have less background noise.

3. Ask people to actually look at you when you’re talking to them, and perhaps don’t all talk over each other at the same time because then you end up missing everything.

4. I think the best thing you can do for someone who has hearing loss is to make sure that you’re mindful of how involved they are in any conversation that’s happening. Make sure you draw them in. And if they do seem a bit withdrawn, or quiet or down, ask them a clear question and bring them back in.

5. Think about where you put them on the seating plan for Christmas dinner. Try to make sure that they’re involved and not on the edge of things. Perhaps sitting near a wall is better for acoustics.

6. But above all I think you need to be patient with them and be aware that they might be missing important things that you say, and if they don’t seem to register, repeat so you can include them.

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