Book groups are great for so many reasons. They help you avoid isolation, form friendships and keep your mind stimulated. Even better is a book group with hearing accommodations. This is a wonderful way to connect with others in a fun way. In addition, you get support for your needs. People know what it’s like to have hearing loss. You’re in a support group without feeling too focused on hearing loss.
I’m in a book group of nine women with hearing loss. We are a diverse bunch. We vary in age, religion, political views, lifestyles, careers and incomes. Some members use hearing aids, while others have cochlear implants. In addition, the causes of our hearing loss and years we have had hearing loss are all different. Our common thread is hearing loss and that brings an unspoken patience and empathy that feels supportive and relaxing. Together we escape beyond our hearing loss to the new adventures of books. It’s always fresh and interesting.
Here are the book group hearing accommodations that work for us:
- Keep the group to 10 people or less.
- Form a group through your local HLAA or ALDA group or try the Meetup app.
- Welcome diverse perspectives and books. This promotes lively discussion and growth.
- Once/year, everyone proposes 3 books with a brief summary (preferably typed up). The group votes on books for the year, one from each person.
- Decide if you want to set a limit on page count when choosing books. Fonts vary so this is not an exact science.
- Host/moderator leads discussion on the book chosen from those they proposed.
- Meet for two hours, once/month and take summers off.
- Take turns speaking. This takes discipline and helps a great deal.
- when together, use a talking stick (it could be any object).
- when online, have a moderator. Establish a way to raise your hand when you wish to speak. Otherwise, use a rotation list to take turns speaking.
- mute mics when not speaking.
- remind people about turn-taking if someone dominates the conversation.
- Always provide captions. Learn more here.
- If meeting in person ensure no mobility barriers. Decide on refreshments so it’s fun but not a burden.
- Host sends out about 7 discussion questions, 2-3 days before the meeting. You can often find these online. Free flowing discussion also works.
- Spend 15 minutes at the beginning or end of each meeting catching up on life in general.
- Start book discussions by going around to each person to hear if they liked/disliked the book.
