How to hear better at home

There’s no place like home, right? But sometimes the way your home looks may be getting in your way — and no, we don’t mean clutter. Open spaces, bare walls and rugless floors can make it harder to hear for people who already struggle with hearing loss.

Why does that matter? Well, it may cut down on the parts of the house where you can have conversations with family members. Or limit where you are able focus on meetings or phone conversations if you have a home office.

There are solutions though. Simple changes can make a difference for someone with hearing loss. And they don’t cost a lot. Read on to find out how to make your home a friendlier place for you or other loved ones with hearing loss.

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Signs of hearing trouble at home

“Hearing loss often is gradual, which can make hearing troubles less noticeable,” says Brianne Salzmann, Au.D. She’s a clinical audiologist at Providence Swedish Otolaryngology in Seattle.

Age is usually a factor. About 31% of people aged 65 years old and older experience hearing loss, according to the National Council of Aging. That percentage goes up to 40% for those older than 75 years.¹

Are you or a loved one in those higher-risk age groups? Watch for these signs at home that you may be having trouble hearing, says Salzmann:

• You need to turn the TV up louder than before. Or you understand TV shows better when you turn the captions on.
   
• You have trouble hearing family members clearly. You often ask them to repeat themselves.
   
• Background noises in your home prevent you from hearing clearly. These can include the TV, a fan or running water.

If any of these things are happening, it might be time to get your ears checked by a hearing care professional. (More on that later.)

Hidden high-noise areas

Then look around your home. Certain decorating choices and setups can amplify background noises. That makes it harder for those with hearing loss to catch every word.

This is even true for people who wear hearing aids. Hearing aids can be programmed to reduce background noise. But even so, the noisier the room or environment, the tougher it may become to follow conversations.² 

For example, bare or hardwood floors can amplify background and surrounding noises. So can bare walls. And large picture windows may let in sounds from the outside, especially if you live on a busy street.² 

Changes to make at home so you can hear better

Luckily, says Salzmann, “there are tips and tricks to use at home right away.” Here are some to try.

Don’t add to the noise clutter. It’s hard to have conversations in person or over the phone when there are competing sounds. So, turn the TV and music down (or off), advises Salzmann.

Move to another room if there’s a loud appliance on, such as the dishwasher. The same is true if someone is working at home. It’s hard to focus during a meeting if there is background noise. 

Block sounds with fabrics and rugs. Bare floors, windows and walls amplify sounds. But the opposite is also true. Carpeting and other fabrics can absorb noise.^{2, 4}

• Place carpets or rugs on bare floors. If wall-to-wall carpets are too costly, think about large area rugs. Just be sure to secure the edges and corners to the floor, which helps prevent tripping.³
   
• Use curtains made from heavy fabrics to block out street noise coming from the windows and absorb echoes coming from within the house.
   
• Consider wall hangings (like framed fabrics) to keep sound from bouncing off bare walls.

Rethink the furniture in some rooms. Another way to absorb sound? Cushioned chairs and sofas — the comfier (more cushioned) the better.²

But don’t stop there. Rearrange the seating so that it’s easier for people to hear clearly. That means positioning chairs and sofas “so that a person is closer to what they want to hear, and farther away from a noise source,” explains Salzmann. 

Upgrade household appliances. When it’s time to buy new ones, invest in quieter appliances, advises Salzmann. That will make it easier to hear people when those appliances are running.

Large appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and air-conditioning units aren’t loud enough to harm hearing. But others, such as kitchen blenders and food processors, are.⁵ So, look at noise ratings when you shop and buy the quietest appliances you can afford.

The final word

While it’s a good idea to make these changes around your home, you can also go one step further. Find a hearing care professional (such as an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist) who will give you a comprehensive hearing exam and consultation.

With hearing aids and a hearing-friendly home, it may be easier to hear all the sounds you love. Then you can begin to enjoy life again without straining to listen.

Did you know that many hearing benefits, including a hearing exam and consultation, are covered through UnitedHealthcare Hearing? Learn more.

Sources

1. Hearing loss statistics: more common than you think National Council on Aging. November 7, 2023.
2. Managing hearing loss in social settings: tips for seniors with hearing aids National Council on Aging. November 2, 2023.
3. Preventing falls at home: Room by room National Institute on Aging. September 12, 2022.
4. Tips for improving conversations in noisy environments American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2022. Accessed September 19, 2024.
5. Loud noise dangers American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Accessed September 19, 2024.

Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.