Thanksgiving is a cherished time for family get-togethers, filled with merriment, stories, and moments of gratitude. It’s also a good opportunity to address essential health concerns, including hearing loss, in a supportive and compassionate environment. With loved ones gathered around, this holiday can serve as a perfect time to start a conversation about hearing difficulties and encourage seeking solutions.
Preparing for a supportive discussion
During family get-togethers, it can make a big difference for a loved one with hearing loss, if you create a caring and welcoming vibe. Here are some tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everyone, particularly for people 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 included in conversations. If you sit them at the end of the table, they will miss out on discussions happening 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 everybody can be prepared to make contributions positively. It will seem more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the person with hearing loss, when the whole family is involved.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower 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.
Initiating the conversation with care
Talking about hearing loss can be delicate, and it’s essential to approach it with compassion. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather and show support for each other and express gratitude, making it the ideal setting for this conversation. The following are some guidelines about how to approach this discussion:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest small, helpful short-term changes. Encourage your loved one to ask others to talk more slowly or clearly if they’re having trouble understanding. Remind them that it’s fine to ask people to repeat themselves in loud settings. By implementing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at gatherings.
- Convey Gratitude and Care: Begin by expressing how much your loved one means to you. Discuss how fortunate you feel to have them as a part of your life. This creates a positive atmosphere and makes it clear that your concern stems from a place of love and care.
- Address the Issue with Empathy: Let your loved one know that you’ve noticed they may be having difficulty 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 improve 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 following conversations”.
Discussing long-term solutions
After you put your loved one at ease by letting them know how much you care about them, it’s time to delicately initiate the idea of long-term solutions.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they understand that they won’t need 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. Help them realize that they will be able to better enjoy precious moments with loved ones and an overall enhanced quality of life by taking this step.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the conversation is going well, you might bring up potential solutions like hearing aids. 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 can 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”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Encourage scheduling a hearing test as the next step. Let them know that you will help them set up the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Help them understand that a hearing test is a simple, non-invasive way to get a clearer picture of their .
Families showing support for each other is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Coming together with loved ones and showing support is the real spirit of Thanksgiving. Addressing a family member’s hearing loss during this time can be a meaningful way to offer support and help them reconnect with the happiness of family get-togethers. Don’t fail to take advantage of this loving and supportive setting to have a sincere discussion about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Inspiring your loved one to take the first step towards better hearing can make future holidays even more memorable and enjoyable for everybody involved. By exhibiting care and empathy, you will help them feel less isolated and more included in the moments that matter most.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this worthwhile conversation. This act of love will enhance their lives every day not just during the holiday season.