Thanksgiving is a cherished time for family get-togethers, filled with laughter, stories, and moments of gratitude. It’s also a unique opportunity to address essential health concerns, such as hearing loss, in a supportive and caring environment. Thanksgiving is a holiday when family members get together, making it the perfect time to broach the topic of hearing loss with loved ones who may be coping with it and encourage them to find solutions.
Planning a conversation to support your loved one
During family get-togethers, it can make a big difference for a family member who has hearing loss, if you cultivate a compassionate and welcoming vibe. Here are a few tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everyone, especially for people who might struggle to hear clearly:
- Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. It will be easier to have a concentrated discussion with your loved one without the distraction of loud background noise. Consider turning off the TV or other audio devices that might add to the noise.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Seat your loved one near the middle of the table where they are more likely to be involved in conversations. If you sit them at the end of the table, they will lose out on discussions taking place a little further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Inform other family members that you plan to talk about the subject of hearing loss. This will allow everybody to be ready for the conversation and your loved one with hearing loss won’t feel as though they are being ambushed. It will feel more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the individual with hearing loss, when the entire family is involved.
Initiating the conversation with care
It’s important to be thoughtful when beginning a conversation about a sensitive topic like hearing loss. Thanksgiving offers a perfect setting to have this conversation because it’s a time when families give thanks and show support for each other. The following are some guidelines about how to deal with this discussion:
- 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 it’s fine to ask people to repeat what they said in loud environments. These strategies can help them feel more included and less frustrated during gatherings.
- Express Gratitude and Care: Start by articulating how much your loved one means to you. Talk about how lucky you feel to have them as a part of your life. This sets a positive tone and makes it clear that your concern stems from a place of care and love.
- Address the Issue with Empathy: Inform your loved one that it seems as if they may be having trouble hearing and that you’re concerned for 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 like you might be having difficulty following conversations”.
Long-term solution should be discussed
Once your loved one feels supported and understands that the discussion comes from a place of concern, you can delicately present the idea of exploring long-term solutions.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the conversation is going well, you could bring up 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 participate in conversations and engage in social connections. You could say something like, “There are so many great options now that could help you hear better and make it easier to join in the conversations”.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they know that they won’t have to go through any of the process by themselves. 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 moments together.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Encourage scheduling a hearing exam as the next step. Offer to help establish the appointment or go with them for support. Help them comprehend that a hearing test is an easy, non-invasive way to get a better idea of their .
Families showing support for each other is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and gratitude for each other. Addressing a family member’s hearing loss during this time can be a meaningful way to offer support and help them reconnect with the joy of family get-togethers. Don’t fail to make the most of this loving and supportive environment to have a heartfelt conversation about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Inspiring your loved one to take the first step towards improved hearing can make future holidays even more memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved. Help them feel more included and less isolated with your supportive care and empathy.
Take a little time to begin this significant conversation this Thanksgiving. This act of love will better their lives every day not just during the holiday season.