Dining out is a great way to enjoy good food in the company of a few close friends. With hearing loss, however, eating out can quickly turn into a stressful experience. The clatter of dishes, sizzling oil in the kitchen and background chatter can turn an otherwise pleasant conversation into a communication nightmare. Let’s look at some tips for dining out with hearing loss to help you have an amazing and stress-free experience.
1. Choose a Quiet Restaurant
A bustling restaurant with fun music can be an exciting experience, but it isn’t necessarily the right place for easy communication. Find a few quieter restaurants to minimize hearing strain. Your best options will likely be restaurants with outdoor or spaced-apart seating and no background music. If you have a particular restaurant in mind but know it is often bustling, try going for an early or weekday meal to lessen background noise.
2. Pick a Good Seat
Picking the right seat can make a world of difference in your ability to understand those around you. Choose a centrally located seat, ideally at a small square or round table, to minimize crosstalk and allow you to see everyone at once. If you have an option, choose a table away from the kitchen or bar, as those tend to be the noisiest.
3. Be Clear With Your Communication Needs
One of the most challenging parts of dining out with hearing loss is interacting with the server in a crowded room or across your table. Don’t hesitate to ask your server to come closer or repeat themselves when necessary. If it helps, check out the menu beforehand to minimize the need for extra questions.
4. Wear Hearing Aids
Around 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids. These small, technologically advanced devices amplify speech, making conversations clearer and easier to understand. Many modern hearing aids also offer background noise suppression. For example, the next time you’re out for a meal at Zazie, your hearing aids can amplify your server’s voice while reducing the clatter of dishes, allowing you to enjoy your dinner without straining to hear everyone around you.
By choosing a quieter restaurant, picking a good seat, stating your communication needs clearly and wearing hearing aids, you can enjoy delicious food and friendly conversation with ease. To learn more about managing your hearing loss, contact San Francisco Audiology today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.