Once upon a time, I found myself at an International Women's Day Prosecco Brunch, surrounded by a lively group of 80+ ladies aged 35 and above. It was like being in the midst of a hen party on steroids! The noise level was off the charts, and the more bubbly these ladies consumed, the louder they became.
To top it off, there was a handsome young man performing live music. I say "handsome" because that's all I could judge – his singing was lost in the sea of chatter and the distorted, overly loud sound system.
Despite my snazzy pink, top-of-the-range hearing aids, I couldn't participate in any meaningful conversations. You see, my ability to process speech in noisy situations is significantly impacted, even though my hearing is perfectly normal. I learned this during my university days studying speech therapy and audiology. I started experimenting with various hearing aids like a mad scientist 6 years ago to see if any will work for me.
Fast forward a few years, and I'm armed with the Oticon More 1 hearing aids (in pink, of course). These babies are supposed to help me navigate noisy environments, but let me tell you, they were no match for this cacophony of cackling and clinking glasses.
As the noise level soared to 90 dB, my watch started screaming for mercy, and my headache intensified. I attempted to adjust my hearing aids with my phone app, but one of the ladies accused me of being antisocial. Little did she know, I was on a desperate mission to hear!
I longed for the moment when everyone would stop talking to me so I could people-watch, enjoy my food and Prosecco, and figure out what on earth the good-looking singer was crooning. Alas, it was not meant to be. Eventually, I decided to make a stealthy exit, waving goodbye to a select few and sneaking out.
Now, you might wonder if there was anything I could have done to make my experience more enjoyable. Well, for starters, had I been feeling as chipper as a Disney character, I might have coped better. And if I had managed to snag a seat further from the sound system, it could have been more tolerable.
However, the harsh reality is that restaurants often have layouts and designs that turn them into acoustic nightmares. So, here's some sage advice: find a favourite spot where communication is more manageable and make it your go-to hangout.
Understanding your auditory processing challenges and being prepared can save you from a world of frustration at social events. And let's face it – we're not getting any younger! So, embrace those social situations and keep the conversation flowing, whether it's with the help of hearing aids or by strategically positioning yourself at gatherings.
In conclusion, life is too short to let a little hearing loss dampen your spirits. Keep laughing, keep socializing, and keep enjoying the company of friends and family. After all, we still know how to have a good time!
Lizette Fourie (not me in the picture - compliments from my friend Sue)
If you would like to re-engage socially with or without prosecco, we can help. Simply start by booking an appointment to start your journey to better hearing.