While Thanksgiving is often a joyous time, it can be a bit taxing on a person with impaired hearing. However, there are ways to make Thanksgiving hearing loss-friendly so everyone can enjoy the holidays to the fullest. If you or someone you love are celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday with impaired hearing, check out these handy tips and habits that can be incorporated.
How to Make Your Thanksgiving Hearing Loss-Friendly
• If you are traveling this Thanksgiving, make sure you wear your hearing aids when traveling by car, bus, train, or plane. Wearing your hearing aids can help reduce your chances of an accident, and allows you to be kept up to date on any changes to your travel schedule. Just make sure you bring extra batteries and any other accessories you may need along the way in your hearing aid travel kit.
• During the holidays, there can be inclement weather, and precipitation can damage your hearing aid. If you find yourself outdoors with your hearing aid on, make sure it is anchored properly and keep them away from contact with sleet, rain, and snow. Using a hearing aid dehumidifier while your hearing aid is not in use is a great way to extract any built-up moisture from the device.
• Thanksgiving isn’t just about the food. It’s about gathering with loved ones to celebrate the holidays. However, conversations, especially multiple conversations can be tricky to keep up with. Try to keep your group small so you can remain within earshot, and don’t be afraid to ask a person to repeat themselves. Most of all, wear those hearing aids if you have them!
• If you are a guest at a party, and you have hearing loss, or you are a host that will have a guest with hearing loss, choosing a spot to sit is very important. Stay away from doorways and walkways, as well as away from speakers, radios, and televisions. You want an area that has minimized background noise and is against a wall so the sound can bounce off.
• Don’t be afraid to recharge and take a breather if you are feeling overwhelmed. It can become exhausting dealing with social situations when you have a hearing impairment, so don’t feel guilty for needing some time to yourself to recharge and give your brain and ears a break. If you are the host this holiday and have a hard of hearing guest, make sure you have a space reserved for them to get away to recharge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wearing hearing aids during travel helps people with hearing loss stay aware of their surroundings, reducing the risk of accidents. It also ensures they can hear important announcements and schedule changes while on the move. Bringing extra batteries and accessories along is essential for uninterrupted hearing aid use.
To protect hearing aids from inclement weather like rain, sleet, or snow, make sure your devices are properly secured when outdoors. Avoid exposing them directly to moisture, and use a hearing aid dehumidifier when not in use to remove any built-up moisture and maintain device performance.
Choosing a quiet spot away from doorways, walkways, and sources of background noise such as speakers or televisions is ideal. Sitting near a wall can help sound bounce towards you, making it easier to follow conversations and reduce auditory distractions during the event.
Keep group conversations small to help maintain better focus and hearing clarity. Don't hesitate to ask speakers to repeat themselves if needed, and always wear hearing aids to maximize auditory input. These habits help ensure more enjoyable interactions despite hearing challenges.
Hosts should provide a quiet, comfortable space away from the main gathering area where guests with hearing loss can take breaks and recharge if feeling overwhelmed. Minimizing background noise and selecting appropriate seating can also enhance their experience and inclusivity at the event.
Social situations can become mentally exhausting for those with hearing impairments, especially in noisy environments. Taking breaks helps to rest the brain and ears, reducing fatigue and allowing individuals to better enjoy the event when they return to the gathering.