People that do celebrate the holidays know it is a great time of the year to embrace each others company and catch up on what has happened over the last year. The important thing is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Typing his name just sends goof bumps down my arm in a good way. Remembering why we celebrate the holiday.
I find it amazing during the holiday season to drive around the mall and stores throughout town and suddenly say, "Gosh, I never knew we had this many people living in this area"? By January malls and stores look like a ghost town. This time of the year many of us are out and about attending children and grandchildren school programs and concerts. Attend various after school activities the children are involved in to celebrate the end of the season. Oh, how I miss those days. We are hustling in and out of stores trying to find that "perfect" gift to put under the tree. Then the stream of invites come delivered by hand or in the mailbox asking us to attend a party. We rush around shopping for the right attire for these occasion....a frustrating nightmare sometimes. There are different kinds of parties. There are parties with just people standing around chit chatting and enjoying the food and company of others. Next, there are those potluck parties where you mingle and try out wonderful dishes while enjoying friendships kindle. Then there are parties where the event is more formal and elegant with a sit down dinner, band in the background, dance floor, open bar, etc. We can't forget those parties you get invited to where people are crowding you, not everyone knows everyone else, the music/DJ is blasting in the background, shoes on the wooden dance floor makes annoying noise, and it feels like a zillion people are talking all at once. The holidays can bring those of us with hearing loss an enormous "headache". If there was a vote on headaches at such affairs, I would likely get a 25,000 or more "yes" responses.
How do individuals with a hearing loss handle these wonderful party times? Let me say if you have a suggestion, please add yours to the suggestion box. Here is what I have found to be useful without making myself miserable by the end of the party.
- Go with the desire to have a good time and a good attitude.
- You can decide whether you want to go or not. I have found to be respect, I attend and find something I enjoy.
- If there is a band or DJ. Ask them to play something that is the loudest and then decide where to sit for my ear(s) comfort level.
- If the music is disturbing, turn the hearing aid down or lower the Cochlear Implant volume.
- Should there be a speaker, find out where the person is going to stand so you can lip read that person.
- If you know about the party in advance, request a sign language interpreter if you need one.
- If you have an FM system or person pocket assistive device...bring it along.
- If you see a headache coming on, excuse yourself and take a 15 or 20 minute break. Let someone know you are going outside for a minute so the group does not think you have suddenly left without saying good-bye.
- If you have trouble understanding someone that does not realize you have a hearing loss, politely tell them you have a hearing loss or are deaf.
- In case you still cannot hear someone, lead them to an area that is quieter and the two of you can have a conversation.
- Remember if alcoholic beverages are served and the person you know has been drinking you might observe their speech might be slurred or difficult to understand. Don't get upset with yourself if you can't understand that person.
- Let the waiter or waitress at your table know you are deaf or hard of hearing and tell them to come around and face you or tap you on the shoulder when asking if you would like some coffee, water, or take your plate.
- Face people approximately 12 inches away when talking to them.
- Always thank the wonderful host or hostess for the party even in sign language.
- Should you still get a headache take something for it.
- I have found deciding not going to the party is an escape from reality unless you are a die hard "not a party type of person". Some people are comfortable with crowds and groups and others are not.
- Enjoy the party and have a good time.
