You get to your company’s yearly holiday party and you’re instantly bombarded by noise. The din of shouted conversations, the clanging of glasses, and the pulsating beat of music are all mixing in your ears.
You’re not enjoying it at all.
You can’t hear a thing in this noisy environment. The punch lines of jokes are missed, you can’t make out conversations and it’s all very disorienting. How can anybody be having fun at this thing? But then you look around and see that you’re the only one that seems to be having difficulty.
For individuals with hearing loss, this probably sounds familiar. Distinct stressors can be presented at a holiday office party and for a person who is coping with hearing loss, that can make it a lonely, dark event. But don’t worry! This little survival guide can help you make it through your next holiday party unscathed (and maybe even have some fun at the same time).
Holiday parties can be stressful, here’s why
Holiday parties can be a unique combination of fun and stress, (if you’re introverted this is especially true) even if your hearing is healthy. If you struggle to hear when there is a lot of background noise, holiday parties have unique stressors.
The noise itself is the most prominent. Think about it in this way: Holiday parties are your chance to loosen your tie and cut loose. This means they tend to be rather noisy events, with lots of people talking over each other all at the same time. Alcohol can absolutely play a part. But even dry office parties can be a little on the unruly side.
For those who have hearing loss, this noise generates a certain level of interference. That’s because:
- There are so many people talking at the same time. It’s not easy to isolate one voice from many when you’re dealing with hearing loss.
- Plenty of background noise, laughing, clanking dishes, music, and other noises. Your brain doesn’t always get enough information to pick out voices.
- Indoor events tend to amplify the noise of crowds, meaning an indoor office party is even tougher on your ears when you have hearing loss.
This means that hearing and following conversations will be challenging for people with hearing loss. This might not sound like a very big deal at first.
So… What is the big deal?
The professional and networking side of things is where the big deal is. Office holiday parties, even though they are supposed to be social gatherings, a lot of networking takes place and connections are made. It’s normally highly encouraged to attend these events so we’ll probably be there. Here are a couple of things to think about:
- You can network: It isn’t unusual for individuals to network with co-workers from their own and other departments at these holiday parties. Work will be discussed, even though it’s a social event it’s also a networking occasion. You can use this event to make new connections. But when you’re dealing with hearing loss the noise can be overwhelming and it can be challenging to talk with anyone.
- You can feel isolated: Who wants to be that person who’s constantly asking people to repeat themselves? This is one reason why hearing loss and solitude frequently go hand-in-hand. Asking family and friends to repeat themselves is one thing but co-workers are a different story. Maybe you’re worried they will think you’re not competent. Your reputation could be compromised. So perhaps you just avoid interaction instead. No one likes feeling left out.
You may not even realize that you have hearing loss, which will make this an even bigger issue. Usually, one of the first indications of hearing loss is the inability to hear in crowded settings (like office parties or crowded restaurants).
You may be caught by surprise when you start to have trouble following conversations. And you may be even more surprised that you’re the only one.
Hearing loss causes
So what causes this? How does hearing loss develop? Typically, it’s caused by age or noise damage (or age and noise damage). Your ears will normally take repeated damage from loud noise as you age. The stereocilia (delicate hairs in your ears that sense vibrations) become damaged.
These tiny hairs won’t heal and can’t be repaired. And the more stereocilia that die, the worse your hearing will be. In most cases, hearing loss like this is permanent (so you’re better off protecting your hearing before the damage happens).
Knowing all that, there are ways you can make your holiday office party a bit less uncomfortable!
Tips to make your office party more pleasant
Your office party offers some significant opportunities (and fun!), so you’d rather not skip out. So, when you’re in a loud setting, how can you hear better? Well, here are a few tips to make your office party go a little better:
- Avoid drinking too many cocktails: Communication will be less successful as your thinking gets fuzzy. The whole thing will be a lot easier if you go easy on the drinking.
- Take listening breaks: Every hour, take a 15 minute quiet break. This will help prevent you from getting completely exhausted after trying to listen really hard.
- Look at faces: And maybe even spend some time with individuals who have really expressive faces or hand gestures. You will be capable of filling in comprehension gaps using these contextual clues.
- Have conversations in quieter spots: Try hanging out off to the side or around a corner. In some cases, stationary objects can neutralize a lot of noise and give you a slightly quiet(er) pocket, and you’ll be able to hear more clearly during loud ambient noise.
- Try to read lips: You will improve the more you practice. And it won’t ever be perfect. But some gaps can be filled in using this technique.
Naturally, the best possible solution is also one of the easiest.: get fitted for a set of hearing aids. These hearing aids can be personalized to your hearing needs, and they can also be subtle. Even if your hearing aids aren’t small, you’d rather people see your hearing aids than your hearing loss.
Before the party, get your hearing checked
That’s why, if you can, it’s a good idea to have your hearing tested before the office holiday party. Because of COVID, this might be your first holiday party in a few years, and you don’t want to be surprised by your hearing issues!