Thanksgiving is a treasured time for family get-togethers, filled with merriment, stories, and sentiments of gratitude. It’s also a great occasion to address important health concerns, such as hearing loss, in a supportive and caring setting. With family members gathered around, this holiday can be a perfect time to initiate a conversation about hearing troubles and encourage finding solutions.
Planning a conversation to support your loved one
Creating a welcoming setting for somebody with hearing loss can make a big difference during a family get-together. Here are a few tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everybody, particularly for individuals who might struggle to hear clearly:
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Be sure you discuss your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other family members. This way, it won’t seem like an ambush to your loved one, and everybody can be ready to contribute in a positive way. It will feel more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the person with hearing loss, when the whole family is involved.
- 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 lose out on discussions taking place a little further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. It will be easier to have a focused conversation with your loved one without the distraction of loud background noise. Consider turning off the TV or other audio devices that may increase the noise.
Delicately broaching the conversation
It’s important to be compassionate when initiating a conversation about a sensitive topic like hearing loss. Thanksgiving offers an ideal setting to have this discussion because it’s a time when families express gratitude and show support for one another. Here’s how to approach the discussion:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest 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 fine to ask people to repeat what they said in loud settings. These strategies can help them feel more included and less frustrated during gatherings.
- Express Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to let your loved one know that they mean a lot to you. Describe how thankful you are to have them in your life. This allows your loved one to know that you care about, and are concerned about their well-being, setting a positive tone from the outset.
- Address the Issue with Empathy: Inform your loved one that it seems as if they may be having difficulty hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Instead of concentrating on the problem itself, talk more about how they can improve their quality of life. For instance, you may say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a little more difficult for you to keep up with conversations lately, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
Discussing long-term solutions
Once your loved one feels supported and understands that the conversation comes from a place of concern, you can gently introduce the idea of exploring long-term solutions.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the discussion is going well, you could talk about potential solutions including hearing aids. Express that modern hearing aids are discreet, reliable, and can substantially better their ability to take part in conversations and enjoy social activities. 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”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Encourage scheduling a hearing exam as the next step. Offer to help set up the appointment or go with them for support. Talk about the importance of having their hearing assessed in order to determine the state of their hearing health.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they are aware 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, assure them that their family is there to help. Reinforce that taking this step is about enhancing their general quality of life and enjoying more experiences together.
The true spirit of Thanksgiving: supporting each other
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and appreciation for each other. Addressing a loved one’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 miss the chance to have this heartfelt discussion in a setting where they can feel the full support of their family.
Inspiring your loved one to take the first step towards better hearing can make future holidays even more unforgettable and enjoyable for everyone involved. Help them feel more included and less separated with your encouraging 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.
