Thanksgiving is a cherished time for family get-togethers, filled with laughter, stories, and moments of gratitude. It’s also a good opportunity to address important health concerns, including hearing loss, in a supportive and caring setting. With loved ones gathered around, this holiday can be a perfect time to initiate a conversation about hearing troubles and encourage seeking solutions.
Organizing a conversation to support your loved one
During family gatherings, it can make a big difference for a family member with hearing loss, if you create a caring and welcoming vibe. Here are a few tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everybody, particularly for people who may struggle to hear clearly:
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Inform other family members that you plan to bring up the topic of hearing loss. This way, it won’t feel like an ambush to your loved one, and everybody can be ready to contribute in a positive way. It will seem more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the individual with hearing loss, when the whole family is involved.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your loved one will feel more included in conversations if you sit them near the center of the table. If you seat them at the end of the table, they will miss out on conversations happening a little further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. It will be easier to have a focused conversation with your family member without the distraction of loud background noise. Electronic devices, like the TV, can present considerable distractions and it’s a smart plan to turn them off before the discussion.
Approaching the discussion with care
It’s important to be thoughtful when beginning a conversation about a sensitive subject like hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a time when families get together and show support for one another and give thanks, making it the perfect setting for this conversation. The following are some guidelines about how to deal with this discussion:
- Convey Gratitude and Care: Start by expressing how much your loved one means to you. Talk about how thankful you are that they are part of your life. This creates a positive atmosphere and makes it clear that your concern comes from a place of love and care.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend 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 it’s fine to ask people to repeat themselves in noisy settings. These strategies can help them feel more included and less frustrated during get-togethers.
- Address the Issue 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. Instead of focusing on the problem itself, talk more about how they can improve their quality of life. You may say something like “I want to help you get the most from these family gatherings, and it seems as if you may be having a hard time keeping up with conversations”.
Long-term solution should be discussed
Once your loved one feels supported and recognizes that the discussion comes from a place of concern, you can delicately introduce the concept of exploring long-term solutions.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they know that they won’t have to go through any of the process alone. From the process of scheduling and going to the appointments to adjusting to new hearing aids, reassure them that their family is there to help. Reinforce that taking this step is about improving their overall quality of life and enjoying more experiences together.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the discussion is going well, you might bring up potential solutions like hearing aids. Help them realize that hearing aids are discreet and will better their quality of life by improving their ability to take part in conversations and engage in social interactions. You can say something like, “There are so many fantastic options now that could help you hear better and make it easier to be a part of conversations”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Suggest scheduling a hearing test as the next step. Inform them that you will help them set up the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Talk about the importance of getting their hearing tested in order to identify the state of their hearing health.
The true spirit of Thanksgiving: supporting each other
Thanksgiving is about joining together and showing our love and appreciation for each other. Approaching a loved one’s hearing loss during this time can be a thoughtful way to offer support and help them reconnect with the happiness of family get-togethers. Don’t fail to take advantage of this loving and supportive setting to have a heartfelt conversation about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Future holiday get-togethers will be that much more enjoyable and unforgettable after you have successfully inspired your loved one to take this significant first step. By showing care and compassion, you will help them feel less isolated and more included in the moments that matter most.
Take a little time to initiate this significant conversation this Thanksgiving. This act of love will enhance their lives every day not just during the holiday season.