4 TIPS FOR HEARING BETTER IN VIRTUAL MEETINGS and GATHERINGS

Working remotely with hearing loss can present additional challenges. There are many ways to make virtual meetings more fun and easier, whether you’re hosting them for work or for personal reasons. These tips and strategies will make these meetings more enjoyable and engaging. If you’re in the area, come visit Pensacola’s best hearing center. 

KNOW THE PLATFORM, AND ENSURE THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS THAT THE VIDEO OPTION IS USEABLE

It doesn’t matter what platform you are using, get to know the host site better. Spending some time getting to know your host site better will allow you to learn more about the tools available and how to best use them. You will gain confidence before you meet.

It can be very helpful if all participants use the camera option, and not only the audio, when a virtual meeting begins. You will be able to see their lips, facial expressions and other key elements of clear and open communication. Focus on the person speaking to you and not on your own image. This will ensure maximum benefits.

SPEAK TO YOUR HEARING AID SPECIALIST

All styles of hearing aids can be fitted with a variety of technologies. It is important to get professional treatment to ensure that you are getting the best technology for your everyday life, and your responsibility and needs. Talking to your audiologist will help you understand your needs and make sure that the technology is working for you.

A review of the product can be useful depending on your hearing loss. It may also prove to be beneficial to make adjustments. These are the most common products:

• In the ear (ITE). These are worn in the ear and can be customized in many styles. Once your needs are understood, the best style can usually be recommended.
• BTE: Behind the ear: These models are placed behind or on top the outer ear. You will find wires and tubing running down into your ear. It connects to your ear tip, or earmold and then into the ear canal. There are many features available to meet individual needs, such as volume, battery life, and controls.
• The canal (ITC). These instruments are located in the lower part of the outer ear. They can be very comfortable and easy to use. They have a longer battery lifespan and can be equipped with synch directional microphones. This can help you understand in noisy environments better. These microphones are made for mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

Your audiologist can also tell you if your device is compatible with other sources of audio, and if so, whether this will allow audio to be sent directly from your ears.

HEADPHONES ARE USEABLE

Connected headphones can make it easier to concentrate on the conversation by blocking background noises from the environment. You can improve the quality of audio reception, which can help make speech and other sounds clearer and more understandable. You can focus the sound of the meeting toward your ears while allowing the conversation to be delivered at a louder volume. If necessary, you can adjust the volume on either ear.

TURN ON WRITTEN CAPTIONS

If you have difficulty hearing multiple people speaking at once, you can turn on closed captioning. Many web platforms offer the option to use a live chat function. This can help you decipher chats, provide clarifications on words used, and give you the chance to review the conversation to see if any points were missed. You can also ask follow-up questions if necessary.

A few web-based video chats offer the ability to record the meeting. However, it is important to understand whether the recording can be initiated by you or the host in order to use this feature.
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