Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a cherished celebration by Muslims worldwide and holds a special place in the hearts of Malaysians. The celebration is marking the end of the holy Ramadan where people from various part of countries can gather with families and friends and enjoy the celebration together 

Celebrating Raya festival involves large crowds and loud noises. As the saying goes, the more, the merrier. However, individuals with hearing impairment may encounter some difficulties in communication, especially during these festive moments. Silently, they may struggle to understand speech well, causing them to miss out on conversations. People with hearing impairment may feel excluded from conversations during gatherings as they cannot listen to them clearly, leading to a significant reduction in their quality of life. 

There are ways to improve communication when you have hearing impairment, such as: 

• Sit Closer and Face the Talker

Ensure that you sit close and facing the talker as position also takes part in this effort to promote inclusivity. It is always a good idea to tell those you are conversing with regarding your hearing difficulties to help them communicate better with you.

• Have a Good Pair of Hearing Aids.  

Having a good pair of hearing aids can make a significant difference in your ability to listen well in various situations. They're designed to pick up sounds and amplify them according to your specific hearing needs, which can greatly enhance communication for both the speaker and the listener. If you're experiencing any hearing difficulties, investing in good hearing aids with regular consultation from the audiologist can lead to noticeable improvements in your overall communication skills.

• Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) 

Assistive listening devices like the Roger System or PartnerMic can be helpful in improving listening ability, especially in larger crowds or challenging environments. These ALDs excel in noisy environments by delivering clear sounds wirelessly to the hearing aids, enhancing speech while minimizing the background noise. If you're facing communication difficulties in certain situations, consulting your audiologist and exploring these options could make a significant difference. They can provide tailored advice and recommendations based on your specific needs. 

Family members and close friends also plays a big role in supporting individuals with hearing impairment. Putting ourselves in their shoes can help us to empathise with them & share the burden together. Since it is agreeable that communication is the key, the efforts we should take to help people with hearing impairment are many. Together, we can improve their quality of life consequentially. Some tips to help them including:  

• Get Their Attention First. 

To ensure that the message is well-conveyed in a conversation, tap the individual’s shoulder first before talking to allow the listener to focus their attention on us before we begin speaking, ensuring that no words are missed out.

• Use slow phase and simple sentence. 

It's important not to speak too quickly, as this can make it difficult for individuals to read our cues, especially our lip movements. If someone has trouble understanding what we're saying the first time, it's helpful to rephrase the sentence in simpler terms. Most importantly, always remember to be patient with them.

• Encourage them for hearing appointments.  

If you are suspecting someone close to you lives with hearing difficulties, it is great to schedule an appointment with an audiologist for a hearing check and hearing aid trial. The usage of hearing aids may significantly improve daily communication and provide better hearing, thus positively impacting their quality of life. 

By implementing these tips, showing empathy and understanding, you can play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for individuals with hearing impairment. We hoped that everyone can enjoy the warmth of Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year and do not let hearing impairment stop you from feeling the bliss of Raya. For more information, do WhatsApp and follow our social media today!    

Syauqina Jamel, Clinical Audiologist at 20dB Hearing Subang Jaya.