Life Sounds Great: Why do I have more trouble hearing in restaurants then I do at home?

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Why do I have more trouble hearing in restaurants then I do at home?

Hearing in noisy places can be difficult and frustrating. The first and best thing you can do hear in noisy places is to keep both ears hearing. Wear two hearing aids when you have difficulty hearing in both ears.

Second, studies show that those who use hearing aids with directional microphones do better in noisy places then those who use hearing aids without them.

Third, the restaurant you choose and where you sit affects how well you hear in noise. Her are a few suggestions from the Better Hearing Institute for dinning out.

1. Choose a quiet restaurant.

2. Go to restaurants at less busy times. For example, have lunch at 1:00 instead of noon.

3. When you are being seated, ask to be seated along the wall or in a corner away and from the kitchen.

Avoid dark restaurants. You will be better able to pick up lip clues and facial expressions.
Restaurants with carpeting, drapes and tablecloths absorb sound and create a quieter atmosphere.
If the music is too loud, ask to have it turned down.
Pick restaurants that don’t have a bar, or those where the bar is in a separate room.
Last but not least, simply ask for a quiet table! There’s bound to be at least one.