Family Thanksgiving get-togethers are a time of storytelling, laughter, and, of course, giving thanks. It also provides a perfect caring environment to tackle essential health concerns, including hearing loss. 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 dealing with it and encourage them to seek solutions.
Planning a conversation to support your loved one
Creating a welcoming environment for someone with hearing loss can make a huge difference during a family gathering. Here are some tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everyone, particularly for individuals who might struggle to hear clearly:
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Seat your loved one near the center 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 miss out on conversations taking place a little further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Make sure you discuss your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other members of the family. This way, it won’t seem like an ambush to your loved one, and everyone can be prepared to contribute positively. When the entire family is aware and engaged, the conversation is less likely to feel like criticism from a single person and more like a collective show of support.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a reduced volume. This decreases distractions and makes it easier for your family member to focus on the conversation. Electronic devices, such as the TV, can present significant distractions and it’s a good idea to turn them off before the conversation.
Approaching the conversation with compassion
It’s important to be compassionate when initiating a conversation about a sensitive subject like hearing loss. Thanksgiving offers a perfect setting to have this talk because it’s a time when families express gratitude and show support for one another. The following are some tips about how to deal with this conversation:
- Convey Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to tell your loved one that they mean a lot to you. Discuss how blessed you feel to have them in your life. This creates a positive atmosphere and makes it clear that your worries comes from a place of love and care.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend small changes that can help in the short term. 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 okay to ask people to repeat what they said in loud environments. By employing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
- Address the Issue with Compassion: Let your loved one know 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 conversation around improving their quality of life rather than targeting the issue itself. For example, you may say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a bit more difficult for you to keep up with conversations recently, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
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 gently introduce the concept of exploring long-term solutions.
- 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 support them through the entire process, from making appointments to adapting to new hearing aids if necessary. Help them comprehend that they will be able to better enjoy cherished moments with loved ones and an overall enhanced 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. Offer to help set up the appointment or go with them for support. Help them understand that a hearing test is an easy, non-invasive way to get a better idea of their .
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the conversation is going well, you could bring up potential solutions like hearing aids. Share that modern hearing aids are discreet, reliable, and can significantly improve their ability to take part in conversations and enjoy social activities. You could 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”.
Families showing support for each other is the real spirit of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and gratitude 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 miss the chance 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 inspired your loved one to take this essential first step. Help them feel more included and less separated with your supportive care and empathy.
Take a little time to initiate this important discussion this Thanksgiving. This act of love will better their lives every day not only during the holiday season.
