Thanksgiving is a cherished time for family get-togethers, filled with laughter, stories, and sentiments of gratitude. It’s also a good opportunity to address essential health concerns, including hearing loss, in a supportive and caring setting. With family members gathered around, this holiday can serve as a perfect time to start a conversation about hearing difficulties and encourage seeking solutions.
Getting ready for a supportive discussion
During family gatherings, it can make a big difference for a loved one who has hearing loss, if you create a caring and welcoming vibe. The following are some suggestions to help everybody feel comfortable, especially loved ones who are dealing with hearing loss:
- Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a reduced volume. This decreases distractions and makes it easier for your loved one to pay attention to the conversation. Think about turning off the TV or other electronic devices that may add to the noise.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Seat your loved one near the center of the table where they are more likely to be involved in conversations. Avoid seating them at the ends where they might struggle to hear discussions happening further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Be sure you mention your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other members of the family. This will allow everybody to be prepared for the conversation and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel as if they are being ambushed. When the whole family is aware and engaged, the discussion is less likely to feel like criticism from one person and more like a family show of support.
Initiating the conversation with compassion
Mentioning hearing loss can be delicate, and it’s essential to approach it with compassion. Thanksgiving provides an ideal setting to have this discussion because it’s a time when families express gratitude and show support for each other. Here’s how to tackle the conversation:
- Express Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to let your loved one know that they mean a lot to you. Describe how thankful you are to have them in your life. This sets a positive tone and makes it clear that your worries stems from a place of care and love.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest small, helpful short-term changes. If your loved one is having a difficult time understanding what people are saying, encourage them to ask that people speak more slowly and clearly. Remind them that when they are in noisy settings, it’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves. These strategies can help them feel more included and less frustrated during gatherings.
- Address the Problem with Empathy: Inform your loved one that you’ve noticed they may be having trouble hearing and that you’re mentioning it because you care about their well-being. Structure the discussion around improving their quality of life rather than targeting the problem itself. For instance, you may say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a bit harder for you to follow with conversations lately, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
Discussing long-term solutions
Once your loved one feels supported and knows that the conversation comes from a place of concern, you can gently present the concept of exploring long-term solutions.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If your loved one seems to be open to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be discussed. Express that modern hearing aids are discreet, effective, and can significantly better their ability to engage in conversations and enjoy social activities. You can say something like, “There are so many excellent options now that could help you hear better and make it easier to join in the conversations”.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they understand that they won’t have to go through any of the process alone. Let them know that the family is there to comfort them through the whole process, from scheduling appointments to adjusting to new hearing aids if needed. Help them realize that they will be able to better enjoy cherished moments with loved ones and an overall improved quality of life by taking this step.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Advocate for your loved one to schedule a hearing exam as the next thing they should do. Inform them that you will help them set up the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Help them understand that a hearing test is a simple, non-invasive way to get a better idea of their .
Families showing support for each other is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Coming together with loved ones and showing support is the real meaning of Thanksgiving. Approaching a family member’s hearing loss during this time can be a meaningful way to offer support and help them reconnect with the happiness of family get-togethers. Don’t miss the opportunity to have this heartfelt discussion in an environment where they can feel the full support of their family.
Future holiday get-togethers will be that much more enjoyable and unforgettable after you have successfully encouraged your loved one to take this important first step. Help them feel more included and less isolated with your encouraging care and empathy.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this worthwhile discussion. It’s an act of love that could improve their experience not only during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year.