In Norway, December means julebord season. The word literally means “Christmas table,” but what it’s really about is gathering with family, friends, or coworkers. Long tables, shared food, clinking glasses, and plenty of laughter.
It’s a tradition people look forward to all year. But there’s one challenge almost everyone recognizes: when the room gets lively, it can be surprisingly hard to follow the conversation.
Why noisy gatherings are tricky
Restaurants and party venues are designed for atmosphere, not acoustics. Add background music, chatter from every direction, and hard walls that bounce sound around, and even the sharpest ears have to work harder than usual.
This is what researchers call the “cocktail party effect.” It’s your brain’s ability to focus on one voice among many. It works beautifully in small groups, but in crowded settings it quickly gets overloaded. The result is that you catch some parts of the story but miss others, or you nod along even though you didn’t quite hear the punchline.
The good news is that a few simple changes can make gatherings more enjoyable:
-- Pick a seat with your back to a wall to block out some background noise.
-- Sit close to the people you most want to talk to.
-- Avoid the center of the room, where noise overlaps from every direction.
-- Split into smaller groups instead of trying to talk across a long table.
-- If you’re hosting, turn the background music down once the meal begins. Most people will be grateful to hear each other better.
-- On holiday video calls, use earbuds instead of laptop speakers so voices sound clearer.
Tools that help you stay connected
At person-AIz, we believe conversations should be effortless, even in the busiest settings. That’s why we design listening tools that bring clarity back into focus:
-- Mobile Ears turns your iPhone into a speech amplifier. With its tuned earbuds, it makes voices stand out so you can follow conversations more easily, even in noisy restaurants or at the holiday table.
-- Reevo is a standalone, no-fuss speech amplifier. It’s designed for anyone who wants simple, clear sound without using a phone or adjusting complicated settings.
Making the most of the season
The holidays are about more than food and tradition. They’re about connection. By choosing the right spot, paying attention to how sound flows, and using the right tools, you can enjoy julebord or any holiday gathering without missing the conversations that matter most.
Because in the end, it’s the stories, jokes, and shared moments that make the season memorable.
