Dealing With Background Noise at Restaurants With Hearing Aids

Thanks to clinking glasses, kitchen noise, and sound-amplifying modern architecture, restaurants are louder than ever. According to a new Zagat National Dining Trends Survey, noise level is the top complaint restaurants get from patrons. For diners suffering from hearing loss, this can make for an unpleasant, stressful dinner. Here are some tips for dealing with that background noise while wearing a hearing aid.

Download the SoundPrint App 

This genius iPhone app was created by a man with hearing loss who was fed up with the noise level at local restaurants. Users open the app to take a decibel reading of the noise level of any restaurant, then the app provides the average decibel level based on those user submissions. Diners can use this information, along with noise-related reviews from other users, to get an idea of the atmosphere before choosing a restaurant.

Sit in a Quiet Area

Many restaurants are happy to accommodate guests with hearing devices with a table in a quiet area of the restaurant, away from the kitchen and large parties. If no accommodations can be made, diners can opt for a booth along the perimeter of the room. The high backs and soft material of booths help block out and absorb some noise, and a seat along the outside edge of the room ensures noise isn’t coming from all sides.

Turn Away From the Noise

Many modern hearing aids, like the Halo iQ and ENZO 3D, use directional microphone technology to eliminate background noise. They work best when the wearer faces the sounds they want to hear, with their backs away from sounds they wish to tune out. If possible, other party members should sit with their backs to a wall so that the person with hearing loss isn't facing the entire dining room.

Update Your Hearing Aid

If your hearing aid is outdated, a new one can make it easier for you to hear in restaurants, as well as while speaking on the phone, watching TV, and in other situations. Many hearing aids, like Audeo B-R, offers smartphone integration and automatically adjusts your hearing aid settings to your surroundings. If background noise or an outdated hearing aid are getting in your way of clear hearing in everyday situations, Absolute Hearing Solutions can help. We can test your hearing and help you choose the hearing aid that works best for your lifestyle. Contact us online. 

To schedule a comprehensive hearing exam, please call ABSOLUTE HEARING SOLUTIONS today at 614-654-4309. Our professional hearing experts bring modern hearing testing, economical digital hearing aids and satisfaction guarantees to the next level! Our office is located at 750 Cross Pointe, Suite F, Gahanna, Ohio. We provide clients with hearing exams, high-quality digital hearing aids, and personalized hearing services you can trust.