Business Insight presented by Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Welcome in the Joyful Sounds of the Holidays Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us. In just a little over a week, families will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving and in the days that follow calendars will be filled with Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa celebrations. It is a season of joy, but as the Grinch famously said, "the noise, noise, noise!" For many of us the sounds of the season include music, laughter, chaotic conversations around the table, the delightful squeals of children, the crackle of a fireplace, and even the crinkling of packages being torn open. But while the atmosphere is happy, those same sounds can be a burdensome distraction to people with hearing loss. This holiday season let's be sure to account for everyone in our plans. As we have pointed out previously, 1 in 8 people suffer from some form of hearing loss. On a purely statistical basis, that could mean 2, 3, 4 or even more people at your gathering need some consideration. Having difficulty hearing not only reduces the enjoyment of the person impacted, it can also make them uncomfortable, self-conscious, and perhaps even cause them to skip certain events that are important to them. Whether it is a family gathering, an office party, or an annual outing among friends, consider some of these simple accommodations to make sure everyone in the group can hear and enjoy everything happening around them. Control what you can. Everyone enjoys Marie Vetter-Toalson, Au.D carefully to them, and slow your speech down a bit. If you are anxious about your ability to hear during the holidays, and especially if you suffer from tinnitus, try these tips to make the holiday season more enjoyable for you. Advocate for yourself. If you are having trouble hearing, let others know so they can communicate more clearly with you. Relax. The holidays are busy enough. Allow yourself some quiet time to prepare for the strain hearing in a crowd can present. If you wear hearing aids and they have been holiday music but perhaps lower the volume a acting up, get them checked and repaired bit or turn it off altogether during meals. Make sure the kids have a place to play where noise will abound. Just try to have that space be a bit removed from the main gathering space. Create a quiet room, perhaps a spot in the living room or great room where those with hearing issues can settle in and enjoy conversations without a lot of competing background noise. . Although we are talking about hearing, vision is an important contributor. Keep rooms well-lit and minimize large centerpieces that might block the view of others at a table or in a room. Those with hearing loss may do better if they can read lips a bit or at least see facial expressions clearly to gain context if conversations are hard to hear. If you know someone is wearing hearing aids or has hearing loss, be sure to speak to them directly. Don't overcompensate with volume, but engage them directly, listen Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Ltd. before the holiday season hits in full force. Exercise and sleep. This combination of healthy behavior will go a long way to keeping you rested and alert. Take a break from electronics. Smartphones and computers can increase anxiety and be a distraction. Enjoy the people around you by unplugging a bit. If you are beginning to experience hearing loss now maybe the right time to get a hearing evaluation. If you have unused HSA funds or have met your medical deductible for the year, take advantage and make an appointment with an audiologist. At Northwest Speech & Hearing Center we still have appointments available in 2025. Give yourself and your loved ones a nice gift this holiday season-the gift of hearing. Call Northwest Speech & Hearing Center today at 847-392-2250 or visit www.nwhearing.com to schedule an appointment. Happy Holidays! | Northwest Speech and Hearing Center 1100 W. Central Rd., Ste. 409 Arlington Heights, IL 60005 847-392-2250 Business Insight presented by Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Welcome in the Joyful Sounds of the Holidays Ready or not , the holiday season is upon us . In just a little over a week , families will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving and in the days that follow calendars will be filled with Christmas , Hanukkah , and Kwanzaa celebrations . It is a season of joy , but as the Grinch famously said , " the noise , noise , noise ! " For many of us the sounds of the season include music , laughter , chaotic conversations around the table , the delightful squeals of children , the crackle of a fireplace , and even the crinkling of packages being torn open . But while the atmosphere is happy , those same sounds can be a burdensome distraction to people with hearing loss . This holiday season let's be sure to account for everyone in our plans . As we have pointed out previously , 1 in 8 people suffer from some form of hearing loss . On a purely statistical basis , that could mean 2 , 3 , 4 or even more people at your gathering need some consideration . Having difficulty hearing not only reduces the enjoyment of the person impacted , it can also make them uncomfortable , self - conscious , and perhaps even cause them to skip certain events that are important to them . Whether it is a family gathering , an office party , or an annual outing among friends , consider some of these simple accommodations to make sure everyone in the group can hear and enjoy everything happening around them . Control what you can . Everyone enjoys Marie Vetter - Toalson , Au.D carefully to them , and slow your speech down a bit . If you are anxious about your ability to hear during the holidays , and especially if you suffer from tinnitus , try these tips to make the holiday season more enjoyable for you . Advocate for yourself . If you are having trouble hearing , let others know so they can communicate more clearly with you . Relax . The holidays are busy enough . Allow yourself some quiet time to prepare for the strain hearing in a crowd can present . If you wear hearing aids and they have been holiday music but perhaps lower the volume a acting up , get them checked and repaired bit or turn it off altogether during meals . Make sure the kids have a place to play where noise will abound . Just try to have that space be a bit removed from the main gathering space . Create a quiet room , perhaps a spot in the living room or great room where those with hearing issues can settle in and enjoy conversations without a lot of competing background noise . . Although we are talking about hearing , vision is an important contributor . Keep rooms well - lit and minimize large centerpieces that might block the view of others at a table or in a room . Those with hearing loss may do better if they can read lips a bit or at least see facial expressions clearly to gain context if conversations are hard to hear . If you know someone is wearing hearing aids or has hearing loss , be sure to speak to them directly . Don't overcompensate with volume , but engage them directly , listen Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Ltd. before the holiday season hits in full force . Exercise and sleep . This combination of healthy behavior will go a long way to keeping you rested and alert . Take a break from electronics . Smartphones and computers can increase anxiety and be a distraction . Enjoy the people around you by unplugging a bit . If you are beginning to experience hearing loss now maybe the right time to get a hearing evaluation . If you have unused HSA funds or have met your medical deductible for the year , take advantage and make an appointment with an audiologist . At Northwest Speech & Hearing Center we still have appointments available in 2025. Give yourself and your loved ones a nice gift this holiday season - the gift of hearing . Call Northwest Speech & Hearing Center today at 847-392-2250 or visit www.nwhearing.com to schedule an appointment . Happy Holidays ! | Northwest Speech and Hearing Center 1100 W. Central Rd . , Ste . 409 Arlington Heights , IL 60005 847-392-2250