Oticon study takes on the restaurant dilemma

The study is part of Oticon’s national media outreach to drive awareness of the challenges restaurants and other noisy environments create for people with hearing loss. Through a combination of traditional and social media, infographics and interviews, Oticon will deliver practical advice on how people with hearing loss can best manage noisy situations, including the benefits provided by hearing solutions with BrainHearing™ technology, like Oticon Opn™.

Noise on the menu almost everywhere

Restaurants included in the study were selected from TripAdvisor’s top-rated restaurants in 10 American cities known for their restaurant scene: Austin, Detroit, Chicago, Denver, Nashville, Portland, San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis and Washington, DC. The study showed that the noise levels at the 50 in-demand restaurants surveyed were on average at or above 79.17 decibels. In the noisiest venues, noise levels rose to 81.92 and 82.19 decibels.

The results are not surprising. New industrial design elements that favor bare, hard surfaces, high ceilings, exposed ductwork, and open, expansive dining rooms, along with increasing crowds due to a strong economy, now make noise the number one complaint by diners, according to a 2018 Zagat survey.

Solving the restaurant dilemma

The study shows that noisy restaurants with high levels of ambient sound make it nearly impossible for many baby boomers and others, especially people with hearing loss, to follow a conversation at an increasing number of American eating establishments. Just the thought of sitting through a meal at a noisy restaurant can discourage people with hearing loss from dining out with family or friends.

“We understand that a vibrant atmosphere attracts patrons, and a restaurant that’s too quiet can be uncomfortable for diners,” said Vice President of Marketing Sheena Oliver, AuD. “That’s one of the reasons we developed and integrated BrainHearing™ technology in Oticon Opn™. Opn overcomes a challenge that even the most advanced solutions of today can’t solve – the ability to handle noisy environments, like restaurants, with multiple speakers. And the new Oticon ConnectClip can provide the extra help sometimes needed.”

Oticon’s national media outreach offers consumers no-nonsense advice on solving the restaurant dilemma. At oticon.com/restaurantdilemma, consumers can find colorful infographics and tips ranging from a simple reminder to “wear your hearing aids!” to information about how Oticon Opn with BrainHearing technology gives users the ability to handle noisy environments. A customizable press release allows hearing care professionals to drive awareness and interest in their own markets.

Source: Oticon US