Thanksgiving is on November 27th. For many people, the holiday is a great opportunity to enjoy delicious, carb-loaded foods and engaging conversations. For the 15% of people with hearing loss, however, Thanksgiving can present some unique challenges. The presence of overlapping voices, background music and clinking dishes can create a distracting listening environment, making it hard for people with hearing loss to communicate effectively.
Let’s take a look at a few ways you can create a better Thanksgiving dinner atmosphere for people with hearing loss.
Lower the Music
Holiday music lends a little cheer to your home, but it can also create a distracting environment. Turn the music off or lower the volume. If you like to have a little background noise while you eat, consider keeping the speaker on in a different room so you get a little ambiance without it feeling intrusive.
Adjust the Lighting
Facial expressions and body language significantly contribute to speech understanding. When you’re at a dim, candle-lit dinner, it can be harder to read those nonverbal communication signals, resulting in poor speech comprehension. Instead of candles, consider using a few lamps to provide some indirect lighting that still allows people to see each other.
Make a Seating Arrangement
In addition to making the room brighter, it’s helpful to seat people with hearing loss in a centrally located place so that they can see the greatest number of people possible. You may also want to consider setting up separate tables if you have a large number of attendees. With smaller tables, people can focus on meaningful conversation with a few people, rather than trying to yell over each other in a large group.
Don’t Use Large Centerpieces
Tall centerpieces are visually appealing, but they may obstruct sightlines and make it more difficult for people to talk. Instead, opt for shorter bowls of fruit or even a few mini pumpkins from Kurtz Produce.
Learn About Hearing Loss
If someone close to you has hearing loss, learning more about the condition, its effects and treatment options like hearing aids can help you stay connected and supportive. To learn more about hearing loss, contact Ear, Nose & Throat Associates today.