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7 Min

Navigating the Holidays with Hearing Loss

Get tips on how to enjoy the holidays with hearing loss. From communication strategies to inclusive celebrations, make this season joyful and stress-free!

Author:
Nicole Brener
Navigating the Holidays with Hearing Loss

The holiday season is here, a time for connection and celebration. But if you have hearing loss, you might find yourself dreading the noise and chaos that often comes with big gatherings. With the loud music and everyone talking at once, it’s easy to feel drained or even left out when you’re trying to keep up. 

Have you ever nodded along in a conversation, hoping you’ve caught enough to respond? Or maybe skipped a gathering altogether because the thought of struggling to keep up felt overwhelming? If so, you’re not alone.

The good news is, that with a little planning and the right tools, you can navigate these situations with confidence and create an experience that’s as inclusive and joyful as the holidays are meant to be.

Tips for People With Hearing Loss at Gatherings 

A little preparation goes a long way in reducing stress and helping you feel confident in any setting.

Pick Your Spot Wisely

  • Choose a seat where you can hear and participate comfortably.
  • Steer clear of noisy zones like kitchens, speakers, or where the action tends to get chaotic.
  • Look for smaller, quieter groups where you can chat more easily.
  • Find a well-lit area to make lip-reading and catching visual cues easier.

Speak Up About Your Needs

This one can feel tricky, but it’s worth it. Letting your loved ones know how they can support you helps create a more inclusive experience for everyone.

  • Ask people to speak one at a time or face you when they talk.
  • Find a trusted friend or family member who can fill you in if you miss something. 

Take a Break When Needed

Social situations can be draining, especially when you’re working hard to stay engaged. Don’t hesitate to step away for a few moments to recharge.

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Use Technology to Your Advantage

Navigating conversations, listening to live announcements, or a speech during a holiday party can be challenging with hearing loss, but technology like Nagish can make it so much easier—and more seamless than you might think. With real-time transcription, Nagish turns spoken words into text, letting you follow conversations with confidence. Plus, using it is as simple as bringing your smartphone along, so there’s no need to feel anxious about standing out or drawing attention.

Here’s how to get started with Nagish:

  1. Download the App for Free: Available on both Apple and Android devices.
  2. Tap and Transcribe: Open the app, tap the "Live Transcribe" button, and watch as spoken words appear instantly as text on your screen.
  3. Personalize your Experience: Adjust font size and brightness, or even flip the screen to suit your preferences, ensuring it’s readable in any environment, whether it’s a dimly lit party or a brightly lit dinner.
  4. Connect with Bluetooth Hearing Aids: Pair Nagish with your hearing aids for even clearer audio support and a smoother experience.

Nagish is easy to use and fits naturally into your everyday life, helping you stay connected without feeling awkward or out of place. Taking a little time to explore its features beforehand—like customizing settings or pairing with your hearing aids—can help you feel more confident and ready for any gathering.

Using Nagish can take the stress out of staying engaged during holiday conversations. It’s a simple, discreet tool that helps you focus on what really matters—connecting with the people around you and enjoying the special moments that make the holidays so memorable.

Dining Out During the Holidays with Hearing Loss

Dining out during the holidays often requires extra focus and effort, especially when listening in noisy settings. But there are also small adjustments you and those around you can make to create a more inclusive and relaxed experience.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your holiday meals at restaurants:

  • Check the menu beforehand to reduce the need for back-and-forth with the server.
  • Book reservations during less busy times to avoid peak noise levels.
  • If possible, request a quiet, well-lit spot, away from the kitchen or bar.
  • Sit face-to-face with the person you want to talk to most. It’s best to engage with the person closest to you rather than trying to follow multiple conversations.
  • Bring along tools like Nagish to transcribe conversations in real-time to help you follow conversations in noisy environments. 
  • If you wear hearing aids, pair them with the app with Bluetooth for better audio support.
  • Let those around you know if you need them to repeat something or slow down—it’s okay to advocate for yourself!

Tips for Hosts Accommodating Guests with Hearing Loss

If you’re hosting someone with hearing loss, small adjustments can make your gathering more inclusive:

  • Turn off the dishwasher, TV, and other unnecessary noise sources during conversations to reduce background noise.
  • Make sure you’re visible when speaking to them, and avoid covering your mouth.
  • Slow down and focus on one conversation at a time.
  • Encourage the use of tools like Nagish to support smoother communication.
  • Use visual aids like written menus or activity cards.
  • Enable captions on holiday movies or games.

Although the season might come with unique challenges, it’s also an opportunity to embrace thoughtful solutions, both for yourself and the people around you. The small steps you take can help create a holiday experience where everyone feels part of the celebration.

What’s even more exciting is how technology is changing the game completely. Tools like Nagish make staying connected easier than ever, turning real-time transcription into something natural and effortless. It’s no longer about trying to adapt to the environment around you—it’s about using tools that support and empower you to fully participate. 

Get Nagish and try it for yourself. If you need assistance along the way we’re here for you! Contact us.

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Nicole Brener

Copywriter based in Miami, FL. Leads copywriting workshops and mentors women entrepreneurs at the Idea Center of Miami Dade College.

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Navigating the Holidays with Hearing Loss

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.