Thanksgiving is nearly here, and for many, that means grocery shopping, cooking and enjoying the many delicious sides, desserts and, of course, the main meal. Unfortunately, for the 15% of U.S. adults with hearing loss, all those Thanksgiving traditions can quickly turn into an exhausting communication nightmare. Luckily, you can wear hearing aids and employ communication strategies to enjoy a clearer, more enjoyable holiday.
How Can Hearing Aids Help?
Hearing aids are remarkable tools that make communication easier for individuals with hearing loss. Two ways they help you on Thanksgiving include:
- Amplifying speech. Hearing aids make the cashier’s voice at Orlando’s Produce clear and easy to understand. They bring back the laughter and conversation at family dinners. And at the Thanksgiving Day parade, they let you hear every announcement as the floats roll by, so you don’t miss a moment of the excitement.
- Suppressing background noise. Thanksgiving is full of distracting background noise, from rattling cards to guests cheering on the football game, which makes it difficult to hear speech and other important sounds. Newer hearing aids have advanced AI that separates speech from background noise, allowing you to focus on the sounds and voices that matter.
Coupling your hearing aids with effective communication strategies is the best way to maximize the benefits of your devices.
Communication Strategies for Thanksgiving Gatherings
Holidays are meant to be enjoyed. If the communication at your Thanksgiving gatherings brings you more stress than fun, employ a few of the following tips to create conversation ease:
- Sit in a quieter area of the room, away from the kitchen or other busy spots, to cut down on background noise
- Face the person speaking to you to make it easier to follow the conversation
- Choose a seat with good lighting so you can clearly see faces and read lips if needed
- Maintain eye contact to show you’re listening and to help others know you’re engaged
- Gently remind others to speak at a normal pace and volume—shouting or over-enunciating can actually make speech harder to understand
With the help of hearing aids and these simple communication strategies, you can enjoy a Thanksgiving filled with good conversation, lots of laughter and plenty of delicious food. For more information about managing your hearing loss or to schedule a hearing test, contact Midwest ENT Centre today.