Living With Hearing Loss: 65 Practical Tips That Make a Difference

This year, we're incredibly proud to be celebrating 65 years of Connevans - and throughout the year, we'll be sharing special content to mark the occasion.

From the early days of analogue solutions, to today's advanced wireless tech, a lot has changed in the last six decades, but one thing hasn't: our dedication to finding practical ways to make life easier for people living with hearing loss.

So, to celebrate 65 years, we’ve challenged ourselves to pull together 65 top tips for making life easier with hearing loss.

Whether you’re new to hearing technology, or have been using it for years, we hope you’ll find something in here that makes life just that little bit easier.

Without further ado, let’s get started…

Tips for Managing Hearing Loss at Home

1. Personalise your TV volume with your own speaker or headset

2. Use vibrating or visual doorbell alerts so you never miss a visitor or delivery

3. Install visual or vibrating smoke, fire and carbon monoxide alarms

4. Sit closer to speakers or sound sources for clearer audio

5. Set up vibrating or extra-loud alarms for reminders and wake-ups

6. Enable flashing or vibrating alerts on your phone

7. Don’t forget to remove your hearing aids before bed

8. Store your hearing aids safely overnight

9. Turn on subtitles or closed captions when watching TV

10. Stream gaming audio directly to your hearing aids

11. Use landline phones with amplified sound and adjustable tone

12. Connect hearing aids to your PC with wireless accessories

13. Remove hearing aids before showering or bathing and store in a dry place

How to Hear Better in Public Spaces & Social Settings

14. Download your hearing aid app for easy control

15. Use Bluetooth for hands-free calls and streaming audio

16. Choose quieter venues or off-peak time where possible

17. Use wireless microphones in busy places like cafes, pubs, restaurants

18. Try live captioning apps for group conversations

19. Switch to the T setting for loop systems in public spaces

20. Use hearing aid-compatible headphones or amplifiers

Tips for Travelling with Hearing Loss

21. Use airline apps for real-time announcements and updates

22. Choose plane/bus/train seats away from noisy areas or engines

23. Pack a dedicated hearing aid travel care kit

24. Take a portable vibrating alarm clock for hotel stays

25. Take a look at our guide to connecting to in-flight entertainment

26. Keep your devices organised in a protective case for travelling

27. Bring your own entertainment for long journeys

28. Check accessibility features before booking

29. Keep your hearing aids in a storage case with your contact details when not in use

30. Read our ultimate travel guide before you go

Practical Tips for Hearing Loss in the Workplace

31. Use wireless microphones during meetings

32. Sit closer to speakers where possible

33. Find a quiet space for focused conversations

34. Request written communication to support verbal information

35. Use email or messaging for detailed communication

36. Schedule calls during quieter times

37. Use captioned video calls for online meeting

38. Request good lighting for lipreading

39. Reduce background noise where you can

40. Use personal amplifiers for calls and meetings

41. Let your employer or HR know about your hearing needs

Support in Schools and Education Settings

42. Use speech-to-text or live captioning tools in lessons or lectures

43. Speak to teachers about seating plans that help reduce background noise

44. Suggest the use of tools like the BabbleGuard to manage classroom noise levels

45. Ask if a soundfield system is available in classrooms

46. Tell teachers how you (or your child) prefer to communicate

47. Ask for key information or instructions to be written down

48. Use retention cords during sports and physical activity

49. Take listening breaks to avoid fatigue

50. Use radio aids to hear teachers more clearly

Daily Hearing Aid Care Tips & Maintenance Advice

51. Use a drying box regularly to remove moisture

52. Clean hearing aids daily to prevent wax build-up

53. Always carry spare batteries

54. Use a puffer to reduce moisture in tubing

55. Let your hearing aid battery ‘breathe’ for a minute after removing the tab before inserting it

56. Try Ear Gear for device protection and to reduce wind noise

57. Use ear grips or tape to keep devices secure

58. Safely check that hearing aids are working using a stetoclip

59. Wipe devices regularly with specialist cleaning wipes

60. Keep a multipurpose tool handy for quick battery changes and cleaning

61. Replace domes regularly for best sound quality

62. Change tubing as recommended (or when they get stiff)

63. Book regular hearing checks and servicing

64. Use ear protection in noisy environments

65. Stay up to date with new assistive technology

Celebrating our 65-Year Journey Supporting People With Hearing Loss

As we continue to celebrate 65 years of Connevans, we're proud to share the knowledge and practical advice built up over generations of our team. Supporting you with simple, everyday solutions remains at the heart of everything we do.

There's plenty more to come as part of our anniversary celebrations, more tips, more stories and insights are on the way.

Thank you for being part of our journey 💙