If hard of hearing, loud restaurants pose a real challenge.
The American Tinnitus Association suggests that if you cannot understand what someone is saying 3 feet away from you, the noise level could be harming your hearing.
According to United States Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) prolonged exposure to sounds exceeding 85 decibels (dB) can result in a permanent hearing loss. This means dining in loud restaurants can be hazardous to our hearing.
The search for quieter restaurants
Restaurants are notoriously noisy. I read somewhere that restaurants are designed to be loud. Loud noise causes patrons to leave more quickly, thus freeing up the table for the next guests. When I dine at the Cheesecake Factory, for example, I most always sit outside. It is nearly impossible for me to hear conversations inside their restaurants with sound reverberating off their hard floors and walls.
There is a movement, however, to provide to prospective guests the noise ratings of restaurants. In fact, there’s an app to help people who are struggling to find a quiet place to eat or drink. The app is called SoundPrint. It is basically Yelp for noise levels in thousands of restaurants, bars, and cafes across America (and counting).
Dining in loud restaurants with hearing loss
Being hard of hearing poses additional challenges when dining in loud restaurants. Here are eight things to consider:
- If you have a setting on your hearing aid to block background noise, that may help.
- You suggest the venue where friends and family will meet to break bread.
- Avoid places that have subdued lighting. You want areas that are reasonably well lit. That is, bright enough for you to be able to see faces clearly.
- Ask to be seated in a booth if booths are available. I find I hear better in a booth than a table.
- Ask to be seated away from large parties.
- Ask to be seated in the quieter section of the restaurant, if they have one.
- Consider eating outdoors if available and comfortable.
- Download the SoundPrint app and look for quieter restaurant options. Contribute to the app if you find a restaurant particularly noisy or quiet.
For those who have normal hearing, many of these tips will help you too. If you find yourself shouting, I recommend putting in those earplugs to protect your good hearing and make a note on Soundprint! Be part of the movement for quieter dining!
