Planning a Date Night with Hearing Loss

Dating, and especially first dates, can be problematic for most people; but it can be even more problematic for those who suffer from any form of hearing loss. However, actually meeting people to go on dates with has been made easier since the introduction of dating sites on the Internet. Today, there are literally hundreds of different dating sites on the Internet, and at least 100 of these cater to those people who have hearing problems. 

5 Leading Dating Websites for the Hard of Hearing

One of the favorable website for people with hearing difficulties is Deafs.com, which claims to be the largest online dating site in the world for single Deaf, American Sign Language (ASL) and hard-of-hearing (HOH) individuals. Deaf Passions is a free site offering users deaf chat, message boards and email. ASL Singles is a site specially developed for the thousands of singles who use ASL so they can find friendship, romance or even love with someone who shares the same values and life experiences. Deaf Match is also another site that can introduce deaf and HOH singles to others, both nationally and internationally. The fifth is the Deaf Singles Connection site, which connects people to help them find companionship in comfortable surroundings.

Best Restaurants for Individuals with Hearing Loss

Of course, meeting someone suitable to go on a date with is just the beginning, as where to go on a date can also cause problems. Often, restaurants can be very noisy and the excessive noise can cause problems in communicating. So, here are some tips to assist the individuals with hearing loss on finding the right date spot.

Before booking a restaurant, look at some reviews for it on the Internet. If the reviews mention noisy, loud, lively or bustling, it is best to either look somewhere else or make reservations during an off time (so earlier or later than the normal restaurant rush). It’s also important to select a restaurant that offers decent lighting in certain areas, making it easier for individuals with hearing loss to read lips and follow the conversation.

When being seated at a restaurant, try to avoid tables near the bar section, speakers, kitchen or even coffee grinders as all of these can cause extraneous noise which may lead to conversation problems. If the restaurant has an outside section and that section is not next to the street, it could be the best place to be seated. Although restaurants that have drapes, carpets and tablecloths may be called old fashioned by some, all of these absorb sound and provide an ideal setting for couples who have hearing problems. 

Planning a vacation

The next problem could be where to go on a vacation together and once again, some places are better suited to the hard of hearing than others. When planning a vacation with someone who has hearing loss, gather information on hotspots, such as museums and theaters, to find out if they offer any assistive listening devices for hearing aid wearers.