According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “One in eight people in the United States (13 percent, or 30 million) aged 12 years or older has hearing loss in both ears.” If you’re among this population, you may be wondering what you can do to have the best Valentine’s Day with your partner or date. We review tips for this below.
Plan a Quiet Meal
One of the most popular Valentine’s Day date ideas is to go out to dinner, but this can be a challenging listening environment, especially during busy hours. We recommend going out for breakfast or lunch instead, or if you want to go to dinner, go a little early or a little late. Choose a smaller restaurant like Venture Kitchen and Bar in East Queens Way East, and request a table in the corner, away from the kitchen and waiter’s station. Alternatively, pick up some of your partner’s favorite foods at the grocery store and make a quiet meal at home.
Hit the Road
Instead of planning an evening, maybe you can make a weekend of the holiday and get away. Hitting the road for a short trip allows you to spend a romantic couple of days somewhere private and quiet, and it may be more special than just a dinner date. Some hotels have accessibility features for those with hearing loss, and many offer spas for some Valentine’s Day pampering.
Bring Your Hearing Aids & Supplies
No matter what you choose to do or where you choose to go, you should bring your hearing aids and supplies. Your hearing aids are essential medical devices that amplify sounds so you can actually hear them, and they would be useless without the batteries that power them. If you go out of town, bringing your cleaning supplies and keeping up on nightly cleanings will ensure they’re working optimally.
See Your Audiologist
If you haven’t yet made the investment in hearing aids or you suspect your devices need to be reprogrammed, you should schedule an appointment with an expert audiologist at Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy before Valentine’s Day to get all set.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy today.