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Ryan Holden, H.A.D.
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Jan 14, 2026
Part 5 of the “Better Hearing in Background Noise” Series
Even with well-fit hearing aids, assistive devices, and good listening habits, noisy environments can still be challenging. The truth is, technology can only go so far — the rest comes down to how we communicate.
The right strategies can make conversations clearer, more comfortable, and a lot less stressful for everyone involved. I often tell my patients: You don’t have to change who you talk to — just how you set up the conversation.
1. Choose Your Listening Environment Wisely
Whenever possible, take control of the setting. A few small changes can have a big impact:
Pick your seat strategically. Sit with your back to a wall to block noise coming from behind. If you’re in a restaurant, ask for a booth or a corner table away from the kitchen or speakers.
Use lighting to your advantage. Good lighting helps you see faces, gestures, and lip movements — all of which your brain uses to fill in what you might miss.
Avoid echoey spaces. Rooms with hard floors, bare walls, or high ceilings reflect sound. Rugs, curtains, or even soft furniture can help absorb background noise.
These simple adjustments can make the difference between straining through dinner and actually enjoying the conversation.
2. Face the Person You’re Talking To
Visual cues are powerful. Watching someone’s mouth and facial expressions provides extra information your brain uses to interpret speech.
Try to position yourself so you can see everyone’s faces. In groups, encourage people to take turns speaking rather than talking over each other. If someone’s behind you or across the room, ask them to move closer before they start talking — it’s a lot easier than guessing what they said afterward.
3. Let People Know How to Help
You don’t need to give a long explanation — just a simple heads-up like, “I hear best when I can see your face,” or “If it gets noisy, let’s step to a quieter spot.”
Most people are more than happy to accommodate once they understand what helps.
You can even coach family and friends to:
Get your attention before speaking.
Rephrase instead of just repeating.
Speak at a normal pace — slower is fine, but louder isn’t always better.
When communication becomes a team effort, conversations flow much more smoothly.
4. Reduce Competing Noise When You Can
Turn down or move away from background noise whenever possible. That might mean lowering the TV volume before talking, turning off running water during conversation, or muting background music when guests come over.
If you’re in a restaurant, try going during off-peak hours. The food’s usually just as good, and the quieter setting makes the experience more enjoyable.
5. Use Your Technology Intentionally
Your hearing aids can do more than amplify sound. Many have directional microphones or noise-reduction modes designed for specific situations.
Before a social event, switch to your “restaurant” or “speech in noise” program if your devices have one. If you use a remote microphone or table mic, position it close to the main speaker and away from clatter or fans.
And if you’ve been following along with this series, combining these strategies with auditory training (like LACE AI) can make noisy settings even easier to manage.
6. Manage Fatigue
Listening in noise takes mental energy. Give yourself permission to take short breaks when needed — step outside for a minute, find a quieter space, or give your ears and brain a rest between conversations.
Being well-rested and hydrated also helps your concentration and listening endurance more than you might expect.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Advocate for Yourself
Many public places — theaters, churches, and meeting rooms — now have hearing-assistive systems or Auracast™ broadcast audio that send sound directly to your hearing aids.
If you’re unsure whether a venue has this technology, ask! A simple question like, “Do you have a hearing loop or assistive listening system?” can open the door to a much better experience.
8. Keep Communication Positive
It’s easy to get frustrated when conversations are difficult, but staying calm and patient helps both you and the person you’re talking to. Laugh off misunderstandings when you can — humor goes a long way toward keeping communication relaxed.
The Bottom Line
Smart communication strategies don’t replace good technology; they work with it. By combining these habits with your hearing aids, assistive devices, and auditory training, you give your brain the best chance to succeed in any environment.
In the final article of this series, Part 6, we’ll look at how to create hearing-friendly spaces — at home, in restaurants, and in the community — so you can enjoy clearer conversations wherever life takes you.
If you’d like help fine-tuning your hearing aids or learning which listening strategies will work best for you, reach out to Golden State Hearing Aid Center. Sometimes the smallest adjustments make the biggest difference in how connected you feel.
