{"id":1678,"date":"2020-12-23T14:30:26","date_gmt":"2020-12-23T19:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlestonhearing.com\/?p=1678"},"modified":"2020-12-23T14:31:48","modified_gmt":"2020-12-23T19:31:48","slug":"how-to-virtually-celebrate-the-holidays-with-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hearingsc.com\/how-to-virtually-celebrate-the-holidays-with-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Virtually Celebrate the Holidays with Hearing Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year\u2019s holidays look a lot different than in previous years. While the CDC recommends limiting travel and avoiding gathering in large groups, there are still ways to stay connected and enjoy the warm smiles of those you love most. If you have hearing loss<\/a>, it may make it slightly harder to celebrate virtually, which is why we\u2019ve compiled the following tips to make the most of your on-screen festivities.<\/p>\n

Use the Best Tech<\/h2>\n

\"Holiday<\/h2>\n

Zoom has been the platform of choice for many families, schools and businesses. However, this platform is not the best option for people with hearing loss. Google Meet is preferable because it provides free ASR captions on all calls<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Even if the rest of your family chooses to use Zoom or another platform that doesn\u2019t offer caption services, there are still ways to make sure you don\u2019t miss a word. You can download a speech-to-text app like Live Transcribe (Android only) or Otter.ai. Make sure to set your phone close to the computer speakers in order to provide the best sound quality. Accuracy can often be improved by using an external microphone.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re on a video call, make sure to use speaker mode. This will enlarge the image of the speaker, making it easier to pick up visual cues.<\/p>\n

If your hearing devices are Bluetooth-enabled, you can connect them to your computer so the audio is delivered directly to your ears. If not, noise-canceling headphones can also improve clarity.<\/p>\n

Set Guidelines and Expectations<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s important to have structure when visiting virtually. Make sure that at the beginning of the call, everyone knows to\u2026<\/p>\n