Enjoy a Clearer Thanksgiving: 5 Hearing Tips to Stay Connected

Thanksgiving has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute you’re still packing up Halloween decorations, and the next you’re planning grocery lists, juggling travel schedules, and wondering if Uncle John is still banned from bringing his “experimental stuffing.” It’s a season filled with warmth, food, and the kind of laughter you feel all the way down in your chest.

But there’s something people don’t always talk about:
Hearing loss can make the holidays feel harder than they should.

Maybe you’ve noticed that those fast-paced conversations at the dinner table feel a little tougher to follow. Or you’ve found yourself nodding along, hoping you caught the punchline. You’re not alone — and you don’t have to power through it this year.

So let’s talk about five simple, gentle hearing-friendly tips that can help you enjoy the kind of Thanksgiving where you stay connected, feel included, and actually hear the stories you want to remember long after the dishes are done.

1. Choose Your Seat As Though It Matters (Because It Does)

This one always surprises people. Where you sit at the table isn’t just about avoiding the wobbly chair; it shapes how well you can hear the conversation around you.

The closer you are to the center of activity, the more voices compete for space. And even people with perfectly healthy hearing struggle there. A better choice is a spot with fewer overlapping sound sources — maybe the end of the table or the side closest to soft lighting, rather than the loud kitchen clatter.

If you wear hearing aids, choose a seat where you can see people’s faces. So much of communication comes from the little things — the spark in someone’s eyes, the way their lips shape a word, or the small gestures that help you catch meaning when the room gets noisy.

HELPFUL TIP: Letting one person sit across from you rather than a whole cluster. It creates a natural “conversation anchor,” so your brain has something consistent to lock onto.

Think of this as the Thanksgiving version of picking the right seat in a restaurant — it makes the whole experience smoother without anyone even noticing you adjusted.

2. Give Yourself Permission to Step Away From the Noise

Thanksgiving gatherings can get loud quickly — dishes clinking, kids running through the hallway, a football game roaring in the background. And while the energy is fun, it can be overwhelming when you’re working harder to hear.

Here’s something people forget: It’s okay to take a break.

You can step onto the porch with a warm cup of cider, linger near the quiet side of the living room, or walk into the kitchen after the rush settles. Sometimes a few minutes of calm can help your ears (and brain) reset. Hearing isn’t just about the ears; it’s also about processing. When your brain is overloaded, everything starts sounding like static.

A lot of people think stepping away makes them look disengaged, but it’s actually the opposite. You’re helping yourself stay present for the moments that matter.

Plus, these little “micro-breaks” help avoid listening fatigue — a very real phenomenon many people with hearing loss experience, especially during the holidays.

3. Hearing Aid Wearer? Give Them a Holiday Tune-Up

Most folks keep their hearing aids in great shape, but Thanksgiving is a good reminder to give them a little extra attention — mainly because holiday gatherings create a perfect storm of noise sources.

Before the big day, check a few things:

• Clean the microphones and domes (a tiny bit of debris can muddle clarity more than you’d think).
  
• Replace wax guards if you haven’t in a while.
  
• Charge them fully or bring backup batteries.
  

And here’s a small detail that makes a big difference: many modern hearing aids have programs designed for noisy environments. If you’re not sure whether yours do, ask us at your next visit — we’re happy to adjust or add custom settings for holiday dinners, restaurants, or family gatherings.

You wouldn’t wear glasses with smudged lenses; hearing aids deserve the same care. A fresh tune-up helps your brain work less and enjoy more.

4. Use Gentle Communication Cues — They Go a Long Way

Most families want to support you — they just don’t always know what helps and what frustrates. You don’t have to turn it into a big announcement, but a few friendly requests can make the room more hearing-friendly for everyone, not just you.

You might say something like:

• “Can you face me when you talk? It helps me catch everything.”
  
• “Would you mind turning the TV down just a hair?”
  
• “Let’s talk over here — it’s a little quieter.” 

These aren’t demands; they’re cues. Minor adjustments that people are usually grateful to make because it means you’re part of the moment with them.

And if you feel awkward asking? Remember this: people would much rather adjust than have you miss out. Thanksgiving is built on connection — and connection starts with communication.

A bonus tip: if there’s someone whose stories you really want to hear — a parent, a sibling, that one cousin who always tells the best dramatic retellings — spend a few minutes with them in a quieter spot. You’ll hear more clearly and create memories without fighting background noise.

5. Plan Your “Hearing-Friendly Game Day” the Same Way You Plan the Meal

This one might sound funny at first, but hear us out.

People plan Thanksgiving down to the minute — when the turkey goes in, when the rolls come out, who’s in charge of keeping the kids from sneaking pie, but hearing? That part gets left to chance, even though it shapes how meaningful the day feels.

A little planning changes everything.

You could:

• Identify a few quiet areas in the house
  
• Decide where you’d like to sit
  
• Bring your hearing aid charger or case
  
• Let the host know you may move around the table to hear better
  
• Arrive a bit early while the room is calmer
  

These aren’t “strategies” in the technical sense — they’re ways of addressing your own needs. And honestly, they tend to make the whole day smoother for everyone around you, too.

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays where traditions blend with new memories. Hearing well allows you to soak in the small things — the soft jokes shared while cooking, the clatter of serving spoons, the sound of family catching up after a busy year. Those are the moments people wish they could relive later.

A Quick Note on What Hearing Loss Really Does During the Holidays

One thing to remember. Hearing loss isn’t just about missing a few words. It affects connection. Confidence. Energy. And holidays tend to magnify all of that.

People often describe:

• Feeling more tired than usual
  
• Laughing along even when they didn’t catch the joke
  
• Slipping into the background at the table
  
• Avoiding group conversations
  
• Missing emotional moments because the sound wasn’t clear 

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s not a sign of “old age.” It means your hearing is working overtime.

Improved hearing—through advanced hearing aids, effective communication strategies, or simply understanding your auditory needs—provides you with the ease, confidence, and comfort you deserve during the holiday season.

Why Thanksgiving Matters So Much for Hearing Health

Thanksgiving holds a special significance. It’s one of the few moments each year when generations sit around the same table. Where recipes get passed down, and family stories are told, only after the second slice of pie. When the people you love most finally slow down long enough to actually talk.

Clear hearing lets you stay present for all of it.

And if you’ve been on the fence about addressing what you’re noticing — difficulty hearing in groups, needing repetition more often, turning up the TV a little louder — Thanksgiving can be a gentle reminder that your hearing shapes your relationships more than you may realize.

You deserve conversations that feel easy again.
You deserve to enjoy the holidays without strain.
You deserve to feel connected, not just present.

A Warm Invitation From Our Team

If you’ve been noticing changes in your hearing — or if the holidays have felt tougher than they used to — we’re here for you.

Salem Audiology Clinic has supported families across the Willamette Valley for decades, and Thanksgiving has always been one of the seasons closest to our hearts. We know how special these moments are, and we want you to feel included, confident, and connected during every single one of them.

Whether you need a hearing test, a tune-up, or just a little guidance, our team is here to help you “trust what you hear” this holiday season and beyond.