According to data from theknot.com, 43 percent of all weddings took place between September and November of 2022. That’s nearly half the number of total weddings, all within a few short months.
Combine the increase in weddings with our culture’s increasing interest in outdoor weddings and it’s probable that the fine-weather wedding you are planning will be held outside. And while taking advantage of beautiful weather is appealing, keep in mind that it may negatively impact the experience of your hearing impaired guests.
If you’re hosting an outdoor party, either formal or informal, here are some tried-and-true methods for making waves in increased accessibility for guests with hearing loss.
A Large Portion Of The Us Population Lives With Hearing Loss
Statistically speaking, one of the partygoers probably has some form of hearing loss. In the United States, one in eight adults over the age of 12 suffers from bilateral hearing loss. Older family and loved ones on the guest list are even more likely to have difficulty hearing; one in three people over the age of 65 suffer from hearing loss.
Party Conversation And Its Challenges For People With Hearing Loss
The most common types of hearing loss, including those caused by high noise exposure and the normal aging process, are both the result of the breakdown of inner ear cells. Damage to these inner ear cells results in a diminished ability to convert noise into sound information for the brain, and especially across the full spectrum of sound. Loss of inner ear cell function hinders a person’s capacity to hear and understand speech from the beginning of hearing loss and throughout its progression.
It’s a common misconception that hearing loss manifests as a general dulling of sound. People who have trouble hearing have a far more difficult time following a conversation. Due to the increased mental effort required to reconstruct a discussion when missing key details due to decreased inner ear function, people with hearing loss often report feeling exhausted after even brief social encounters.
In fact, social isolation and resulting depression are often reported by people with hearing loss for this very reason. It can become easier to simply avoid socializing and conversation when it feels difficult and intimidating.
Help your loved ones with hearing loss by considering them in your party planning. An outdoor party can prove even more challenging for people with hearing loss.
Planning for Your Guests with Hearing Loss
Planning beforehand will allow you to make major adjustments that will be appreciated by your visitors who are hard of hearing. Visual cues, for instance, are a tremendous support for people who struggle to clearly understand speech. Facial expressions and mouth movements provide important clues, and so it’s best to use small, round tables where everyone’s face can be seen. What’s more, bright or moderate lighting is also paramount to maintaining strong visual opportunity.
For formal, allocated seating, try to put guests who have trouble hearing closer to their discussion partners (in the form of fewer table partners) and further away from noisy areas like the buffet, bar stations and music speakers.
Tips For Accessible, Casual Outdoor Events
Your party doesn’t have to reach wedding stature to include some accessible accommodations for your guests with hearing loss. There are other measures you may take to ensure that your loved ones who are deaf or hard of hearing can fully participate in your outdoor barbecues.
Even though seating for dinner is more of a choose-your-own adventure than a carefully curated seating chart, you can still pre-arrange a seating area that’s more conducive to easy conversation. Place seats facing one another in a well-lit area and far from high-traffic areas. Those who you know have trouble hearing might be gently directed to these meeting points.
During the party, keep an eye out for your guests with hearing loss, intervening with a supportive check in if you notice them looking isolated or uncomfortable.
Contact Our Staff Today!
Hearing loss is a highly treatable condition and choosing intervention is easier than you might expect. If your hearing health has recently changed, or if you’re overdue for a hearing exam, contact us today.