Thanksgiving is a treasured time for family gatherings, filled with merriment, stories, and sentiments of gratitude. It’s also a good occasion to address essential health concerns, including hearing loss, in a supportive and caring environment. With loved ones gathered around, this holiday can be a perfect time to start a conversation about hearing troubles and encourage finding solutions.
Preparing for a supportive conversation
Creating a welcoming environment for somebody with hearing loss can make a big difference during a family get-together. The following are a few suggestions to help everyone feel comfortable, especially loved ones who are coping with hearing loss:
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Position your loved one near the middle of the table where they are more likely to be involved in conversations. Avoid seating them at the ends where they may struggle to hear discussions occurring further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Let other family members know that you plan to bring up the subject of hearing loss. 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 entire family is aware and involved, the discussion is less likely to seem like criticism from one person and more like a collective show of support.
Minimize Background Noise: Keep music and other ambient noises at a reduced volume. This reduces distractions and makes it much easier for your family member to focus on the conversation. Electronic devices, like the TV, can present significant distractions and it’s a smart plan to turn them off before the discussion.
Gently broaching the conversation
Talking about hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s important to approach it with compassion. Thanksgiving offers a perfect setting to have this discussion because it’s a time when families give thanks and show support for each other. Here’s how to approach the conversation:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend small changes that can help in the short term. Urge your loved one to ask others to speak more slowly or clearly if they’re having difficulty understanding. Remind them that when they are in loud environments, it’s acceptable to ask people to repeat what they said. These strategies can help them feel more included and less frustrated during gatherings.
- Express Gratitude and Care: Start by conveying how much your loved one means to you. Talk about how blessed you feel to have them as a part of your life. This allows your loved one to know that you care about, and are worried about their well-being, setting a positive tone from the outset.
- Address the Issue with Compassion: Inform your loved one that you’ve noticed they may be having difficulty hearing and that you’re bringing it up because you care about their well-being. Instead of focusing on the problem itself, talk more about how they can enhance 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 might be having difficulty keeping up with conversations”.
Long-term solution should be discussed
After you put your loved one at ease by letting them know how much you care about them, it’s time to gently initiate the idea of long-term solutions.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the discussion is going well, you might talk about potential solutions including hearing aids. Help them understand 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 could say something like, “There are so many fantastic options now that could help you hear better and make it easier to join in the conversations”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Advocate for your loved one to schedule a hearing exam as the next thing they should do. Offer to help establish the appointment or go with them for support. Talk about the importance of having their hearing assessed in order to identify the state of their hearing health.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they understand that they won’t need to deal with any of the process alone. From the process of scheduling and going to the appointments to adapting to new hearing aids, reassure them that their family is there to help. Reinforce that taking this step is about improving their general quality of life and enjoying more moments together.
The genuine spirit of Thanksgiving: showing support for one another
Coming together with loved ones and offering support is the real meaning of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to tackle a family member’s hearing loss as a meaningful show of support that will help them experience the happiness of family get-togethers once more. Don’t fail to take advantage of this loving and supportive environment to have a sincere conversation about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Future holiday gatherings will be that much more enjoyable and unforgettable after you have successfully inspired your loved one to take this important first step. By showing care and compassion, you will help them feel less separated and more included in the moments that matter most.
This Thanksgiving, take a moment to have this important discussion. This act of love will better their lives every day not just during the holiday season.
