The teacher’s voice bounces around the space making it hard for me to follow the instructions. It’s my first yoga class in the studio near our new winter home away from home in Maui. (Yes, an empty nest can be a beautiful thing). It is helpful that the postures are familiar and there is a mirrored wall to one side of the room, but I am struggling to keep up with the class despite my spot right up front near the teacher.
It is frustrating and feels daunting. I am used to my regular studio back in New York, but I know each day it will get easier, as I learn where to position myself in the room for the best visuals and as, most importantly, my brain acclimates to the new voices and difficult acoustics of this beautiful yet challenging yoga space.
Trust the Process for Better Communication
Nothing with hearing loss comes easy. But I have learned to trust the process. “This is hard,” I think to myself, but right away my inner voice retorts, “You got this!”
And I do. Over time, I have developed the skills required to address almost any communication challenge. I just need to be patient, trusting myself and giving my brain the time it needs to adjust to the new listening challenge.
To help the process along, I will:
1. Self-identify as a person with hearing loss
This prompts the teacher to speak a little bit louder or clearer—at least at the start—and to understand if I seem to be doing my only posture sequence. It also comes in handy if another student is in my ideal spot. They might be willing to shift over a smidge if I explain why.
2. Refuse to sweat the small stuff
Yoga is all about working inward to connect your body and mind. It should help reduce stress, not increase it! While I take my yoga practice seriously, I try to keep it in perspective. Missing a cue or two is not the end of the world. When I’m in a tough spot, I remind myself to just breathe.
3. Use visual cues
The proper spot in the yoga room can make all the difference. While it is great to be upfront next to the instructor, they often walk around during the class so their voice may be moving all over the room. I try to find a centrally located spot where I can watch people all around me. From the middle row, even when inverted in downward dog I can still see others moving into a new posture.
4. Keep my eyes open
The warm-up poses and ending savasna can be the toughest parts of a yoga class. Often, the teacher invites us to close our eyes to ease our transition both into and out of the yoga practice. But a little peeking never hurt anyone. If it is a very challenging space, I may simply keep my eyes open. Nobody should notice if their eyes are closed anyway!
Yoga and Hearing Loss a Great Combination
Yoga helps me stay healthy and is a great way to keep the frustration of hearing loss in check. For more tips on yoga for people with hearing loss check out this article, as well as the Hearing Hacks section of Hear & Beyond: Live Skillfully with Hearing Loss.
Readers, how do you handle a new challenging listening environment?
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Avoidance.
Or smile and nod.
I’ve definitely done that! But getting out there and trying helps me stay connected. It is hard but I think it is worth the effort. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Ha! I’ve found myself continuing to “Om” during the warm-up after everyone has finished (embarrassing!) and the last one off the floor following savasana. It’s true, locating the right position in the room is important. I do find that having to keep my eyes open and watch everyone else in order to follow along is a distraction (for me). It often disrupts my focus and prevents the capacity to totally go inward. If anything, instead of yoga being able to keep the frustration of hearing loss in check, it ended up highlighting mine. I haven’t been back to a class in a very long time. Maybe I’ll try again.
Everyone’s experience is different. I hope you will try again. Once I learn the class norms it is much easier to close my eyes. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Classes really are a special challenge, I agree. I use the companion mic that links to my hearing aid and cochlear implant via Bluetooth. The teacher wears it and her voice goes right to my hearing devices. For years before made for iPhone and Android hearing aids were invented, I tried to follow along in class by watching others. I missed a lot!
Great idea! Thanks for sharing what works for you!
I recently got a PartnerMic. It is FABULOUS! My yoga teacher wears it for me, and it sends her voice right to my hearing aids. The PartnerMic is also very useful in church, restaurants, when walking with a friend, at parties – I love it! Good luck to all!!!
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing what works for you!
Thanks for your blog…it is so good to hear from you about your experiences if only to help me understand that I am not alone.
Thank you for being a part of this community! We can learn so much from one another!