“Pass the gravy please”…. How do we hear on Thanksgiving? By Kristie Dannemiller-Smith, M.A.,CCC/A Family Hearing and Balance Center, Cardinal Hearing Centers

Don’t forget to pass the gravy…..

This holiday season, please remember to use your good manners at the table and to pass the gravy. Remember that hollering to someone who has a hearing loss does not necessarily mean that they will hear you, or they may take it the wrong way and throw the gravy at you. Get the attention of the person first and speak in clear, concise sentences around the table (not with you mouth stuffed full of turkey and mashed potatoes please). And I know some of you will leave that TV on during conversations to watch the football games or movies, but turn the volume down to help the hearing impaired person at the table understand the conversation. Using Closed Captioning on the TV will usually aid in conversation as well (unless your husband will not remove his eyes then from the TV to see which fantasy player scored the last touchdown, sigh). So overall, try to enjoy this time of thanks with your family and try to understand the environment and dynamics that can make or break a great conversation with your relatives.

Happy Thanksgiving!!   Kristie

Kristie, thank you so much for writing this blog! Excellent comments on how our environment, such as eating around a table, as well as the tv can impact our hearing others! Kristie takes such special care of our patients in the Northfield, Parma, and Hudson areas of Ohio. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Rich

Richard Reikowski, Au.D