How to Stay Connected at Home if You Have Hearing Loss

Talking over the phone can be challenging for those with hearing loss who often rely on lip reading and other visual ques to understand. Video chatting can be a great alternative to phone conversations. With many video chat platforms offering free calls during this time of isolation, now is a great time to give it a try!

Video chatting allow you to see the person you’re talking to and most video calling platforms only allow one person’s mic to come through at a time, so you will not be hearing everyone in your conversation speak over each other. There are also chat boxes that you can use to ask people to repeat things if needed.

Here are a few different platforms that you try:

1. Skype
2. Google Hangouts
3. Zoom
4. House Party
5. Facetime (Apple devices only)
6. Select social media platforms including:
   1. WhatsApp
   2. Snapchat (Only for smartphones or tablets)
   3. Facebook Messaging App

Still unsure? Here are some tips for a successful video calling experience.

Social platforms can be a great way to stay in touch with loved ones. Popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are encouraging users to share photos and videos of how they are finding ways to stay busy and have fun while at home. Many musicians, faith communities, and actors and comedians are even live streaming their events via social media in lieu of gathering together in person.

You can also follow resources on social media like Amplifon Hearing Health Care and Better Hearing more information about hearing loss and hearing aids.

Tired of hearing your spouse tell you to turn the tv down because the volume’s too loud? Why not turn off the tv and take a virtual tour instead.

Virtual tours are being offered for some of the biggest tourist hotspots around the world. Cross a few sites off your bucket list from the comfort of your couch! These virtual tours and live cameras are free and include museums, zoos, or even amusement parks.

Museums

1. Smithsonian
2. Louvre
3. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
4. Vatican Museum
5. British Museum
6. Google Arts & Cultures has a variety of tours of museums including the Van Gough Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Parks, amusement parks, and zoos

1. National Park Tours from Google Maps
2. Houston Zoo
3. Atlanta Zoo’s “Panda Cam”
4. Disney World
5. Sea World Orlando
6. Georgia Aquarium
7. San Diego Zoo

Staying physically active is important for your hearing (and overall) health. But between the loud music and background noise, traditional workout classes can be frustrating if you have hearing loss. Gyms are offering free online workout classes that you and loved ones can do together. You can stream them from your cell phone, tablet, or smart tv. And if you have hearing aids that are able to connect to these devices, you can stream your class directly to your hearing aids!

Classes include:

1. Stream free live yoga classes here
2. CorePower live streamed classes
3. Stream live local workout classes here
4. Planet Fitness “Home work-ins”
5. Spark People (does not require equipment)