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Can't hear in background noise? How to help yourself
First understand the cause of problems with background noise
Do you find that conversations going on at the same time interfere with
each other, so that you can't really understand what anyone is saying? Do
you find background noise tiring? Are you not always sure of the direction
of a sound? All these problems are due to unbalanced hearing. So before
trying to cope with them, you need to understand their cause. So first read
the page about unbalanced hearing.
Also accept the fact that anyone with unbalanced hearing is necessarily
deaf to some extent in one or both ears. So also read the page on
strategies for coping with deafness.
How to help yourself with unbalanced hearing
- Positioning is important where lots of people are talking at the
same time. With my hearing problems, I
seem to find background noise and other people's conversations somewhat
more bearable when they are in front of me rather than behind me and
when they are not reflected directly back at me from a nearby wall.
So indoors, the edge of a gathering is preferable to the midst of it.
With my back to an open door or archway is better still. Outdoor gatherings
are ideal where I can move between small widely spaced groups.
- Stake an indoor venue out in advance. A few minutes is usually enough.
While everyone else is in a cloakroom or having a drink, I always find
out where the dining area is and 'reserve' a suitable seat by putting
a jacket or whatever on it.
- If seating places are likely to be allocated in advance, have a
word with the host or venue manager in advance to ensure a suitable
place. I have never found any response less than helpful and pleasant
in this respect.
- If the background noise is likely to be very bad, it is worth locating
a quiet room or corridor to retire to at intervals to recover - as coping
with background noise is extremely tiring for someone with unbalanced
hearing. Depending on the venue this too can involve a few words in
advance with the venue's manager.
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