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The ‘Hearing Friendly’ Restaurant Awards
New initiative pilots in Oxford! 
Not so long ago a meal at a restaurant meant dining in a relaxed ambience with intimate conversation. Not anymore… in many restaurants you can’t hear yourself think, let alone talk. With busy waiters clattering plates and cutlery, loud conversation and omnipresent ‘background’ music, some restaurants now serve up an unrelenting onslaught to the ears! But help is now at hand from the hearing experts at Oxford Hearing Centre. The ‘Hearing Friendly Restaurant Awards’, to be launched first in Oxford before being rolled out across the UK, will encourage members of the public to nominate those Restaurants which have made an effort to reduce ambient noise levels, making the dining experience more suitable for conversation and relaxed enjoyment. The Awards will recognise and accredit those restaurants and details can then be found on the Oxford Hearing Centre website. Richard Moss, senior partner at Oxford Hearing Centre, and creator of the Awards, said; “Although the design of many restaurants means that they look fantastic, they are not always conducive to a personal and relaxed conversation and experience. “Flat surfaces, stone floors and a lack of soft furnishings, may look chic and minimalist, but this can be a recipe for noise pollution, these interior enhancements can increase the general din by allowing sound to reverberate and echo into the atmosphere. “The ambient noise levels in many restaurants means that, a normal level of conversation can be difficult, you can end up shouting to one another across the table and sharing the subject of your conversation with other diners,” said Richard. However, this situation is exacerbated further for those with hearing difficulties, (research suggests 1 in 6 people), and can result in a frustrating social experience, and complete barrier to enjoyment. “Ironically”, says Richard; “many of our clients who wear hearing aids are actually better off in such noisy environments than those who don’t, as some modern digital hearing aids can literally focus on particular sound sources, significantly reducing unwanted background noise, which helps to enhance social enjoyment. “There are many wonderful restaurants in Oxford that provide a fantastic culinary and acoustic experience, but we thought it would be helpful to identify those that are particularly ‘Hearing Friendly’. “Then we can advise our clients, and those who may struggle to hear clearly in noisy environments, which restaurants in Oxfordshire can offer a more hearing-friendly experience. “Of course we’re not looking for silent restaurants”! said Richard, “as we all know atmosphere is vital to the experience, but there are some effective ways in which restaurants can help. For example, they can use sound baffles, such as art on the walls that can absorb excess noise. And simple things, such as tablecloths and soft furnishings act as noise reduction, and can genuinely enhance the experience. “We hope that the Hearing Friendly Awards will assist those Oxford residents who like the art of good conversation, and those with hearing loss, to identify the best places to meet and eat in Oxford.” If anyone is having difficulty or is worried about their hearing, Oxford Hearing Centre offer a FREE10 minute Hearing Screening, which is a great opportunity to address any issues you may be experiencing. It might not necessarily mean you need a hearing aid, but they may be able to give you advice on how to protect your hearing and alleviate any problems. To book you free Hearing Screening, simply phone the Oxford Hearing Centre on 01865 861861 and quote: ‘Hearing-Friendly’ or, simply call into the Centre at: 157 Eynsham Road, Oxford OX2 9NE. “We hope all Oxford residents will look out for those restaurants that have been acknowledged as ‘Hearing-Friendly’ and enjoy a great night out”, said Richard. To nominate your chosen restaurant go to our contact page and complete your details on the enquiry form. ABOUT OXFORD HEARING CENTREThe Oxford Hearing Centre was formed in 1982 as a hearing aid and audiological centre of excellence. The practice is a founding member of AIHHP – The Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Professionals. AIHHP is a professional body representing the leading independent hearing aid audiologists in the United Kingdom. Full members of the association have to meet rigorous clinical standards and are subject to peer evaluation before admission. As well as helping people to hear, the Oxford Hearing Centre provides individual and organisational guidance on hearing conservation. Richard Moss also acts as consultant to the music industry, advising many famous professional and amateur musicians on issues of hearing protection and healthcare. The Oxford Hearing Centre’s diverse client list covers all walks of life, from royalty to rock stars.
For more information contact: Richard Moss, FSHAA, MRSPH www.oxfordhearingcentre.co.uk |
