Christmas is the perfect time to indulge loved ones and show them how much you care. Wouldn’t it be nice to give an extra thoughtful present to a friend or relative with hearing loss this Christmas? We thought we’d take a look at some gift ideas for people with hearing loss.
Some people with hearing loss say that with their sense of hearing impaired, their other senses are enhanced. With this luxury gift guide, we’re focusing on the senses of sight, taste, touch, and smell. There’s something for everyone!
Sight
There are so many gifts which are a feast for the eyes and which don’t require any hearing ability:
- A floral arrangement
- A painting or print
- A sculpture or crafted object
- A book
- An adult colouring book and a pack of felt tip pens
- A holiday
- A day out to a beautiful place
Smell
Awaken the sense of smell with a gift of:
- Aromatherapy oils
- Scented candles
- Luxurious bubble bath
- A scented bouquet
Taste
Gifts of food and drink can be a feast for the eyes and nose as well as for the taste buds. Here are some ideas:
- A Christmas hamper filled with tasty goodies
- A meal at a favourite restaurant
- A gift voucher for afternoon tea
- A box of chocolates
- Breakfast in bed
- A bottle of Champagne
Touch
Our sense of touch may be the most overlooked of our senses, but there’s much to commend the sense of security and well being that can be gained by a soft, snugly blanket or fleecy dressing gown. Or how about one of these?
- A gift voucher for a massage to help a loved one relax and unwind
- A course of Reflexology to help with relaxation
- A course of acupuncture (Some say it helps alleviate tinnitus, sinus pain and insomnia)
- Pets aren’t always recommended as Christmas presents, but if you know in advance that your loved one wants nothing more than a fluffy companion, you could take them to a local rescue centre to choose a new friend. Stroking a pet has been proven to have a calming effect on people, lowering heart rate and blood pressure, and releasing the ‘love hormone’, oxytocin, triggering feelings of happiness.
Do you have any other gift ideas for people with hearing loss? Please share them in the comments!
Phonak hEARo, Angie is a freelance journalist and content writer. Angie was diagnosed with Otosclerosis in her right ear at the age of 30. In 2011, she suffered sudden profound hearing loss in her left ear. She uses a Phonak CROS II with a Phonak Audéo V hearing aid. You can follow Angie on Twitter @hearinglosshour and join in #HearingLossHour on the first Tuesday of the month.
