Football season is a highlight of fall for many fans, whether you prefer watching from your couch or soaking in the excitement of a live game. If you wear hearing aids or are among the 28.8 million Americans who could benefit from them, you might be curious about how to fully enjoy the games while also protecting your hearing. With a few adjustments, you can enhance your game-day experience without compromising your hearing health.
Watching Football at Home
When it comes to watching football on TV, whether at home or at Thunderbird Bar & Grill, your hearing aids can play a big role in making sure you don’t miss any of the action, commentary or conversations around you. Here are a few strategies to maximize your hearing aids while watching from home:
- Take advantage of Bluetooth® streaming: Many hearing aids today come equipped with Bluetooth technology, allowing you to stream TV audio directly to your hearing aids. If your devices have this feature, make sure it’s activated. If you’re unsure, reach out to your audiologist or check the hearing aid manual.
- Fine-tune sound settings: If your hearing aids allow for custom sound profiles, consider creating a specific setting for TV viewing. This can help minimize background noise and highlight the announcers’ voices or in-game sounds, giving you a more immersive experience.
- Turn on closed captions: If you’re still having difficulty hearing certain dialogue or commentary, closed captions can be a great backup. Not only does this ensure you stay on top of all the action, but it also gives you peace of mind in case background noise makes some speech harder to catch.
Experiencing a Game Live
There’s nothing quite like attending a football game in person. However, stadium environments can be noisy, which can make hearing and protecting your ears more challenging. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the game while keeping your hearing safe:
- Avoid maxing out your volume: While you may be tempted to crank up the volume on your hearing aids to hear speech sounds more clearly, stadiums are naturally loud environments. Try to resist the urge, as this can lead to unnecessary strain on your ears with the addition of other background noises.
- Use noise reduction settings: Many hearing aids feature noise-reduction or noise-cancellation options that can help manage the overwhelming background noise of a stadium. Activating these settings can make it easier to hear the game itself or chat with those around you, without getting distracted by the constant cheering and echoing sounds.
- Consider ear protection: If you’re attending a particularly rowdy game or find yourself near a very loud section of the stadium, wearing ear protection over your hearing aids can help protect your hearing from sustained loud noise.
- Take periodic breaks from the noise: Loud stadiums can be intense on your ears, so it’s wise to take occasional breaks. Step away to a quieter area like the concourse to give your ears a chance to rest.
By making the right adjustments, you can fully enjoy football season without compromising your hearing. With the help of modern hearing aid features and a few proactive steps, you can support your favorite team and protect your ears at the same time.
To learn more about how to use your hearing aids in the most beneficial ways or to schedule a hearing test for you or a loved one, contact Southwestern Hearing & Balance today.