What is your favorite part of a family holiday gathering? Some of our minds go immediately to the plentiful treats and traditional foods that only come around once a year. Others of us love the classic session of board games that tend to roll out during a holiday reunion. Perhaps you think of the conversations with family members you aren’t able to see throughout the year.
Although each of these aspects of a family reunion might be easier and more natural in person, this year offers the remarkable opportunity to try to make it work in a virtual context. Videoconferencing has come a long way in recent years, and many of us are testing the technological limits in 2020. Though it’s not the same as the in-person setting, each of these favorite aspects of a family reunion can happen on a virtual platform.
In the best case you can plan a holiday chat over your respective meals and end with a game facilitated by a video call. This virtual event does require some planning in advance to make it work well for all people involved, so let’s consider the following tips for a successful virtual family reunion this year.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
When these activities translate onto a computer screen some things require more planning to work well. First of all, make sure all members of the family know what to expect. If you are planning a full night of activities with a meal and a game, it can require some additional preparation. Be sure that each person in the reunion is comfortable with the interface prior to taking part.
The event can cause undue anxiety and stress for a person who has never tried videoconferencing before, so you might want to schedule a pre-holiday video call to learn how to use the chosen interface to its best capability. Lighting and clear audio are two of the most important elements of the call environment. If you aren’t able to see a person’s face, then the call might as well be audio-only, so encourage all the members to turn on all the lights and to use a microphone if there is significant background noise.
Placing your computer close to the Wi-Fi router can help get the best signal strength, eliminating some of the frustrating glitches and delays that can come about. Remind the participants that it is best to mute their microphones when they are not talking to reduce the background sounds of pets, children, and neighborhood noises.
Accommodate Communication Needs
Although some members of the family might already be used to using the videoconference interface for work or school, those with hearing loss can find it challenging to keep up. If you have a family member with hearing loss, do what you can to make the conversation easier to hear.
Many platforms now offer real-time captioning, and reading text while listening can combine for a better communication environment. If your platform does not offer this function, third-party apps are sometimes available. Perhaps you can assist your loved one with hearing loss to set up this feature prior to the virtual family gathering.
Many people with hearing loss prefer to use headphones, at once amplifying the sound of the call audio while also eliminating distracting background sound. If you are going to attempt a virtual game or other interactive element, you might want to design teams so that your loved one with hearing loss gets assistance and is not alone trying to navigate the excitement.
Seeking Treatment for Hearing Loss
If you’ve noticed that you or a loved one struggles to hear, it is important to seek treatment.
Hearing aids do not only assist in these virtual gatherings, but they also make it possible to enjoy parties and social events in person without the stress of misunderstanding and mixed meanings.
The first step is to make an appointment for a hearing test. Once we have diagnosed your needs, a prescribed line of treatment, usually including hearing aids, will be suggested. These devices can make family gatherings of all kinds more enjoyable in the future! Contact us today to learn more.