With Thanksgiving just around the corner, there’s something on the table for everyone—whether you’re all about the side dishes or saving room for pumpkin pie. But if you’re among the 13% of people aged 12 and over living with hearing loss, this holiday might bring more stress than fun. Let’s take a look at some common Thanksgiving communication challenges and how you can conquer them to have the best holiday dinner yet.
Common Thanksgiving Communication Challenges
Holidays like Thanksgiving often involve large gatherings, loud chatter and the clinking of forks, glasses and knives. For someone with hearing loss, these sounds can blend, making it hard to focus on individual conversations. When multiple conversations happen simultaneously, it’s easy to feel isolated or left out. Luckily, these challenges don’t need to overwhelm you this Thanksgiving.
Making Conversation Easier
While Thanksgiving gatherings might be loud, a few strategies can help make conversations easier:
- Choose a seat in a quieter part of the room, away from the kitchen or other high-traffic areas, to help reduce background noise
- Find a seat with good lighting so you can see people’s faces and read lips if needed
- Face people directly when they’re speaking to make it easier to understand them
- Maintain eye contact to show you’re engaged in the conversation, which also helps people know you’re following along
- Remind others to speak at a natural pace and avoid shouting or exaggerating words, as this can distort the sound
Consider Hearing Loss Treatment
For those who find it hard to hear during Thanksgiving or other social gatherings, it may be time to think about hearing treatment. A hearing specialist can help evaluate the degree of hearing loss and recommend solutions to improve hearing in noisy environments. Hearing aids can pick up on and amplify speech sounds while suppressing irrelevant sounds to make Thanksgiving communication easier.
Hearing treatment doesn’t just improve Thanksgiving but can create ease in all communication situations. Addressing hearing loss means no longer missing out on essential conversations or feeling disconnected. By making an appointment with a hearing specialist, you’re investing in clearer communication and more meaningful interactions with loved ones.
While you’re jotting down your grocery list for MOM’s Organic Market and running around town picking up decorations, remember to add one more thing: “Start my hearing treatment journey!” Contact ENT Specialists Of Northern Virginia today to schedule an appointment with one of our trusted providers.