How to Make Christmas More Inclusive for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Friends & Family
The festive season is all about bringing people together, from large group meals and busy living rooms, to board games, film nights and long-awaited catch ups. For anyone living with hearing loss, these joyful moments can sometimes become tiring or overwhelming.
That's why we've created this festive guide full of small, thoughtful ways to make Christmas moments comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.
Festive Family Moments Made Easier
Around the TV: Enjoy Christmas Films Without the Volume Wars
Whether it's Christmas classics, the King's Speech, or a three-hour movie marathon - mixed hearing levels can make TV time tricky. A few easy adjustments can help everyone to enjoy the moment:
- Try a TV listener - there's a whole range of options that allow you to stream sound directly to hearing aids, headphones or a personal speaker, without cranking up the volume for the whole room.
- Use subtitles when possible - they're a miracle for hearing fatigue.
- Room positioning helps too - place seating closer to the TV or reduce echo with soft furnishings like blankets and cushions.
Discover TV listeners and more assistive listening devices at Connevans >
Over Christmas Dinner: Clearer Conversations at the Table
With clattering cutlery and excited chatter, the dinner table can be challenging. Try:
- Reducing background noise: turn off the TV or background music during dinner.
- Using a wireless microphone like the Phonak Roger On to stream speech directly to compatible hearing aids.
- Considerate seating positions: seat the person who finds hearing difficult in a well-lit spot with fewer people talking across them.
- Keep the table centre clear so faces remain visible for lipreading.
Discover assistive listening devices compatible with your hearing aids at Connevans >
Games & Family Catch Ups: Keep Everyone in the Loop
Family games, quizzes, and group conversations are the heart of Christmas - but they can be overwhelming if speech becomes muddled.
- Good lighting helps with lipreading and visual cues.
- Encourage turn-taking - many games naturally allow this, but a friendly reminder keeps things calmer and clearer.
- Create a quieter space for those who need short breaks from noise.
- For larger groups, setups with multiple wireless microphones linked together can help make conversations across a bigger space much clearer.
Find devices that will work with your exact hearing aid make and model at Connevans >
Supportive Advice for Family & Loved Ones
Christmas is full of opportunities to support one another. For family members who want to be helpful but worry about saying the wrong thing, here are some simple tips:
Check in kindly
Swap "It's too loud!" for "Is this volume okay for you?". A small change in wording can make everyone feel respected.
Face the person when speaking
It helps them to follow the conversation easier, making lipreading and visual cues more accessible.
Create space, not pressure
Busy rooms can be overwhelming. Let relatives know they can step out for a quiet moment at any time. Positioning someone away from music speakers, crowds or echoey corners can also make a huge difference.
Make communication a shared responsibility
Encourage the whole family to:
- Speak clearly without shouting
- Avoid calling or starting conversations from other rooms
- Rephrase rather than repeat the same phrase again
Simple shifts can make festive gatherings calmer and more inclusive for everyone.
Wishing You a Joyful, Connected Christmas
Christmas is about connection - it's the laughter, the stories and the shared moments that make it so special. With a few small adjustments and the right tools, every family can enjoy a clearer, calmer, and more connected Christmas together.
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