Family Thanksgiving gatherings are a time of storytelling, merriment, and, of course, giving thanks. It’s also a unique occasion to address important health concerns, including hearing loss, in a supportive and compassionate setting. With loved ones gathered around, this holiday can be a perfect time to initiate a conversation about hearing troubles and encourage finding solutions.
Getting ready for a supportive conversation
Creating a welcoming environment for somebody with hearing loss can make a big difference during a family gathering. Here are a few tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everyone, particularly for people who may struggle to hear clearly:
- Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. This decreases distractions and makes it easier for your loved one 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.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Be sure you discuss your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other members of the family. This way, it won’t feel like an ambush to your loved one, and everybody can be prepared to make contributions positively. When the whole family is aware and engaged, the discussion is less likely to seem like criticism from one person and more like a family show of support.
- 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.
Approaching the conversation with care
Talking about hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s important to address it with compassion. Thanksgiving is a time when families get together and show support for one another and give thanks, making it the ideal setting for this discussion. Here’s how to tackle the conversation:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest small changes that can help in the short term. Encourage your loved one to ask others to talk more slowly or clearly if they’re having difficulty understanding. Remind them that it’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves in loud environments. These approaches can help them feel more included and less frustrated during get-togethers.
- Express Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to let your loved one know that they mean a lot to you. Talk about how thankful you are to have them in 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 Compassion: Inform your loved one that it seems as if they may be having a hard time hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Structure the conversation around improving their quality of life rather than focusing on the problem itself. For example, you may say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a bit harder for you to follow with conversations recently, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
Discussing long-term solutions
Once your loved one feels supported and recognizes that the conversation comes from a place of concern, you can delicately present the idea of exploring long-term solutions.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If your loved one seems to be receptive to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be mentioned. 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. Maybe you could say something like “Hearing aids will improve your life and help you get more joy from social interactions, and there are so many options to choose from, you will easily find a solution that works for you”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Advocate for your loved one to schedule a hearing test 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 tested in order to identify the state of their hearing health.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Point out that seeking treatment for hearing loss isn’t something they will have to face 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. 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.
Families showing support for one another is the real spirit of Thanksgiving.
Getting together with loved ones and offering support is the real spirit of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to tackle a family member’s hearing loss as a thoughtful show of support that will help them find the joy of family gatherings once more. 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.
Future holiday get-togethers will be that much more enjoyable and memorable after you have successfully inspired your loved one to take this important first step. Help them feel more included and less isolated with your supportive care and empathy.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this important discussion. This act of love will better their lives every day not just during the holiday season.
