Dining out with those you love in Carlsbad, California is an
easy way to bring pleasure into your life. Unfortunately, if you suffer from
hearing loss a simple dinner can easily become frustrating. Here are five tips
to bring the enjoyment back to this enjoyable outing
1.
Chose the company – it is much easier to sustain
a dinner conversation with only a few people than with everyone at the table.
If you can, limit the number of people invited to the event. If you are not in
charge of the guest list, try focusing on the smaller conversations taking
place around you, instead of the large one happening across the table.
2.
Chose the restaurant – Carlsbad has a lot of
options when it comes to places to eat. Pick a place that has carpeting and has
wider spaced tables, covered in fabric tablecloths. These soft fabrics help
absorb sounds and the wider table spacing helps prevent commotion, common to a
busy restaurant. Chose a well lit
restaurant if you rely on lip reading.
3.
Chose the time – Selecting the time you eat is
just as important as picking the right restaurant. Try to avoid the lunch and
dinner rush; instead, opt for a time when the restaurant is empty, such as 5pm.
While an early dinner is not ideal for everyone, understanding the entire
conversation is worth it.
4.
Chose a seat – if possible, select a seat at the
table so your back will be against the wall. This will help prevent background
noise from interfering in your conversation. You should try to sit as far away
from the busy areas, like the hostess desk and the kitchen.
5.
Chose what to eat – when you arrive, ask the
hostess if they have a list of their nightly specials. If they do not, simply
explain your hearing difficulties to a staff member. They should be able to
provide you with a list before you even sit down.
