Thanksgiving is a cherished time for family gatherings, filled with laughter, stories, and moments of gratitude. It also provides a perfect caring environment to address essential health concerns, including hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a holiday when family gathers 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.
Getting ready for a supportive discussion
During family get-togethers, it can make a big difference for a family member with hearing loss, if you create a caring and welcoming vibe. The following are some guidelines to help everyone feel comfortable, particularly family members who are coping with hearing loss:
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Make sure you discuss your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other family members. This will allow everyone to be ready for the discussion and your loved one with hearing loss won’t feel like they are being ambushed. It will seem more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the person with hearing loss, when the entire family is involved.
- 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 happening a little further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower 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 considerable distractions and it’s a good idea to turn them off before the discussion.
Delicately broaching the conversation
It’s important to be thoughtful when initiating a conversation about a sensitive subject like hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather and show support for one another and give thanks, making it the ideal setting for this discussion. The following are some guidelines about how to approach this discussion:
- Express Gratitude and Care: Start by expressing how much your loved one means to you. Describe how thankful you are to have them in your life. This creates a positive atmosphere and makes it clear that your concern comes from a place of love and care.
- 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. Instead of focusing on the issue itself, talk more about how they can enhance their quality of life. For example, you might say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a little harder for you to follow with conversations lately, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
- 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 request that people speak more slowly and clearly. Remind them that it’s fine to ask people to repeat what they said in loud settings. By implementing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
Long-term solution should be discussed
Once your loved one feels supported and knows that the discussion comes from a place of concern, you can delicately introduce the idea of exploring long-term solutions.
- 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 your loved one seems to be open to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be discussed. 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 could 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: Emphasize that seeking treatment for hearing loss isn’t something they need to confront 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 necessary. Reinforce that taking this step is about enhancing their general quality of life and enjoying more moments together.
Families supporting one another is the real spirit of Thanksgiving.
Coming together with loved ones and offering support is the real spirit of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to address a loved one’s hearing loss as a thoughtful show of support that will help them find the happiness of family get-togethers once again. Don’t miss the chance to have this heartfelt conversation in an environment where they can feel the full support of their family.
Motivating your loved one to take the first step towards improved hearing can make future holidays even more unforgettable and enjoyable for everybody involved. Help them feel more included and less separated with your encouraging care and empathy.
Take a little time to begin this important conversation this Thanksgiving. This act of love will better their lives every day not just during the holiday season.
