Dining out with hearing loss

Dining out with family and friends in Portland, Oregon is one of those simple things that can bring joy into your life. Unfortunately, dining out with hearing loss can easily become exasperating, quickly taking all the joy out of the outing. Below are 5 tips to help bring the enjoyment back to this social gathering

1.  Pick the right company – it is easier for those with hearing loss to participate in a conversation with only a few people than a conversation with the entire table. If you are not in charge of the guest list and therefore, cannot limit the amount of invitees, try focusing on the smaller conversation taking place with those around you, instead of the large one happening across the table.

2. Pick the restaurant – there are countless places to eat in Portland. Try to pick one that has carpeting and has wider spaced tables, covered in fabric tablecloths. These soft fabrics help absorb sounds and the table spacing helps prevent commotion, common to a busy restaurant.  If you rely on lip reading, choosing a well-lit restaurant is also important

3. Pick the time – choosing the time you eat is just as important as selecting where you eat. Avoid the lunch and dinner rush and instead, make a reservation for a time when the restaurant is empty, such as 4:30pm.

4. Pick the right seat at the table – if at all possible, you should try to sit with your back against a wall. This will help prevent background noise from interfering in your conversation. You should also try to sit as far away from the busy areas, like the hostess desk and the kitchen. Fortunately, if you eat at a slow time in the day there will be plenty of open tables.

5. Pick what to eat – when you arrive, request a printed list of the day’s specials. If the specials are not already written down, just explain your hearing difficulties. The staff will work to provide you with a list before your meal.