Hi, Cam: Maybe I am not helpful, but I know crowds in social situations is hard. I pick one person at a time at a party and not a crowd or am with friends who help with communication. In a group I try to control the conversation a little in a good way so one person only talks at a time and I understand more but many people at parties know I am deaf/HoH from class (I am in college) and try hard to communicate. I have some great hearing friends who know sign from a little to more ASL and they help. I try to avoid darker spots because lipreading is impossible without light. Also I do group fun with physical activity like dancing, bowling, darts, pool, skating etc so less is talking. But not all social situations with hearing work and I am ok with leaving a party to have fun with one or two friends I can communicate with better. Now my hearing is very bad I spend more time with a few friends than groups, although really loud parties are better because I don't have problems with HAs and very loud noises since now I don't wear HAs. One advantage I guess.
