Thanksgiving is a great day to spend time with friends and family and enjoy a huge, carb-forward meal. For the 15% of U.S. adults with hearing loss, finding ways to manage the condition effectively, despite the hustle and bustle of the holiday, is crucial.
Let’s look at a few tips that can make it easier for you to navigate this Thanksgiving without hearing troubles getting in the way.
1. Shop Early
Grocery stores will be slammed in the week leading up to Thanksgiving. All the rickety shopping carts, talking customers, intercom music and chatting employees can create a cacophony that makes the environment overwhelming for people with hearing loss or tinnitus—especially if you’re trying to have a conversation with an employee at the register and find yourself unable to understand them.
Shopping a full week before Thanksgiving, shopping early in the morning or shopping during dinnertime will offer a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere. Not to mention, shopping early means you get first dibs on the limited-time holiday goods.
2. Turn Down the Music or TV
If you’re hosting, keep music or the Thanksgiving Day parade at a low volume. Removing some of that background noise will help you understand and enjoy time with your guests.
3. Set Vibrating Alarms
Depending on your degree of hearing loss, you might struggle to hear noise-based alarms when they go off. If that’s the case, set vibrating alarms for your cooking to ensure food doesn’t get burnt.
4. Set the Scene
People with hearing loss often rely on cues like lip movements and body language to add context to conversations. Make sure the eating area is well-lit and that any table decorations are low enough that you can still see your dining companions clearly.
5. Sit at Smaller Tables
A super long, packed table may not be conducive to easy listening. Instead, consider creating two smaller tables where people can talk without shouting over one another.
6. Wear Your Hearing Aids
Your hearing aids are an essential tool for easier communication on Thanksgiving. Remember to charge and clean your devices before use for the clearest sound.
With a few simple tweaks, Thanksgiving can be a fun day of eating cozy food, spending time with your loved ones and falling asleep on the couch to your favorite holiday movies. For more information about managing hearing loss or to schedule a hearing aid service appointment, contact ENT Specialists Of Northern Virginia today.
Sources
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2021, March 25). Quick statistics about hearing. National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders. Nidcd. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing