CI Communication Tips: How to Enjoy Holiday Season with Confidence

1. Understand Group Conversations

Large gatherings and festive dinners can be noisy, making speech comprehension more difficult. Here’s how to make sure you hear your best in every conversation.

• Choose a quieter seat away from the kitchen or larger group conversations and sit face-to-face with your conversation partner to help reduce background distractions.
• Use technology to your advantage. For example, AudioLink can send sound from a conversation partner’s voice, a TV, or even background music directly to your audio processor helping you focus on what you want to hear, even in busy settings. During this holiday season, use AudioLink to help you understand conversations in social situations with ease.
• Building listening skills ahead of time can also make a big difference. Practice regularly with the ReDi app or audiobooks to strengthen your ability to follow conversations in noisy environments. CI users report that listening to audiobooks you already know with voices you like to hear helps your brain connect the sound with familiar words.

2. Enjoy Holiday Music

Music is at the heart of the season, from carols to festive playlists. Training with music apps such as Meludia can help you better distinguish tones, rhythms, and even different instruments, making those moments even more enjoyable. According to CI users, Meludia is not only made for musical training, but it can also help to get a better speech comprehension.

One of the great things about Meludia is that it’s accessible to everyone. It doesn’t matter how old are, or what kind of musical background you have. There are levels ranging from “discovery” to “expert”.

3. Communicate Clearly

The holidays are a perfect opportunity to involve family and friends in your hearing journey.  Clear communication can make festive conversations much more enjoyable for everyone.

Encourage loved ones to speak clearly, avoid talking over each other, and give you time to follow along. Even simple adjustments like making eye contact or pausing before changing the subject can make a big difference.

4. Celebrate Progress

The end of the year is a natural time to reflect on your journey. Setting goals, tracking your progress, and keeping a diary to celebrate small milestones can help you stay motivated.

5. Stay Positive and Connected

The holidays are also a time to reflect and connect with others. Building a strong support network, whether with family, friends, or fellow CI users on the Hearpeers Forum, can make the hearing  journey feel easier and more rewarding.

It’s equally important to celebrate progress, no matter how small. Recognizing each new sound helps you stay motivated through the ups and downs of rehabilitation.

And remember, it’s okay to take breaks. The holidays can be busy and loud, and giving yourself time to rest makes listening practice more effective. Listening breaks can help you wear and benefit from your audio processor longer.

The holidays are a season of joy, connection, and shared experiences, and they can be just as meaningful on your hearing journey. By leaning on your support network, celebrating every milestone, and giving yourself time to rest when needed, you’ll not only hear more, but you’ll live more fully in the moment.

From all of us at MED-EL, we wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with laughter, connection, and the sounds that matter most!