Hearing Tips and Tricks for the Holidays!

Happy holidays! We hope this time of year brings joy and excitement over visiting with your loved ones, instead of frustration and avoidance due to hearing difficulties. We hear it all the time, how frustrating crowded spaces and clanking dishes can be for those who are hard of hearing OR for those who wear hearing aids. In this month's article, Dr. Angelina Kinn from our Colorado Springs clinic discusses tips and tricks you can use to hear your loved ones better, this holiday season.

Please be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this article to learn details about our Colorado Springs office moving to a new location, to learn more about which of our locations won the Best Hearing Aid award in their town this month, and to welcome our new Audiologist joining the Englewood clinic, Dr. Karl.

If you feel you need hearing help, we are 'HEAR' for you! From tinnitus relief, hearing-aid maintenance, or yearly hearing exams, one of our Audiologists would love to help or provide you with more information. You can visit our website at www.HearingHealthCareCenters.com or call 303-558-5811 to schedule at any of our 7 front-range locations.

The holidays are such an exciting time of year filled with family traditions, potluck dinners, holiday parties, and lots of socializing with friends and family. My favorite part of the holiday season is decorating the tree and being with my loved ones. However, for those suffering with hearing loss, this time of year can be extra challenging. Those with hearing loss can often become exhausted and overwhelmed because of the concentration required to participate in such tasking activities.

6. Designate a quiet room. Set aside a space thats more intimate and free of noisy festivities. This way people can engage in more one on one conversation or take a break from listening throughout the gathering.

7. Be open and honest! We realize the embarrassment often associated with hearing loss. Being honest when you didn't hear something keeps you truly connected and leaves the chance for the conversation on how they can be better speakers for you.

8. If your family likes to engage in games, try games that don’t require a lot of listening and have lots of visual cues, like charades, Pictionary or Hearts! Considering printing out instructions a head of time and reading the rules aloud for everyone. This way, everyone’s on the same page and there are easy-to-reference rules!

Dear Dr. Swander,

Your article was timely and very informative. I have been a client of Hearing HealthCare Center in Colorado Springs since being tested and receiving my first hearing aids in 2014. Since I have been extremely satisfied with the on-site service as well as quarterly check-ups, I have never consulted any other audiologist or service. Frankly, I thought that all clinics offered what you describe as a 'Bundled' service plan. Although the 'Bundled' plan might cost more, I cannot imagine something as valuable as my hearing health and acuity in the hands of someone who does not know me as a person and value my feedback (and seeing me in the office if an adjustment needs to be made). Several times on a quarterly visit, the doctor has removed wax buildup impairing my hearing.

I also appreciate your complete coverage of the issue.

I have often thought that many who need help to enhance their hearing are unable to receive service for lack of insurance. All insurances need to take a look at significant hearing loss as an organic malfunction and deal with it as they would a needed surgery or any chronic disease. These problems can impact bodily functioning, but hearing loss impacts the brain and social functioning.

The point that seems so important in the article is that people should understand the difference between OTC hearing devices and prescription hearing aids with an ongoing live contact possible with the audiologist.

Dr. Swander, thank you again for this important article. Hopefully, it can appear in print where many can view it. I intend to send it to two friends who have been upset about the confusing advertising of late.

Gratefully,

Betty Kerwin