Learning a Foreign Language as a Hearing Aid User

Studies have shown that children with hearing loss that start using a hearing aid as soon as possible prevents speech and language development delays. This tells us that as a hearing aid user there is no reason learning a second language is not possible. We aren't saying it is going to be easy.  We take a look at some helpful tips for learning a foreign language as a hearing aid user.
Enthusiasm

Whether your a hearing aid user or not learning a new language comes down to enthusiasm in wanting to learn. Seeking out opportunities to read, speak and practise the language as much as possible.

Attend a Language Class

By attending a language class you will be in an environment best suited to learning a language, with better lighting and quieter environmental sounds and distractions. Classes can be adapted in a way to best suit its students and informing the teacher you have a hearing loss can help make sure you do not miss out.

Use subtitles on foreign films and TV shows

When learning a foreign language, instead of adding subtitles that are English change the subtitles to the language that you are learning this will allow you to fully be absorbed in the language.

Read and repeat

The power of reading and writing. The best way to reinforce what you have learnt is repetition, writing the words down, saying them out loud even turning them into a rhyming poem. Repetition works wonders.

Make sure your hearing aids are on top form

Your hearing aid will help you in your language learning journey however if it has been a while since your last hearing test, or hearing aid was serviced it might not be helping you to learn as much as it should. Keeping on top of your hearing aid servicing means you know it is working its best.

Try language apps on your phone

There are now a wide array of language apps downloadable to your mobile phone. Such being Duolingo, Babel and a free app called Mesmerise.

Connect your hearing aid loop system

When communicating in a new language in a public location, a loop system can be particularly beneficial. This will help to alleviate the surrounding background noise and focus on the person or persons in front of you.

New Technology

New technology such as the Starkey Livio Al hearing aid enables real-time translation using the Thrive Hearing Control app. Simply by selecting your language and the language of the person, you are talking with. The hearing aid allows for 27 language options. This works by talking into your phone what you want to say, the sentence spoken is then translated and displayed by the app into the chosen language. When the person talking responds back the app picks up what is said, displays it onto the screen and additionally plays the audio through into your hearing aid.