Family Thanksgiving gatherings are a time of storytelling, merriment, and, of course, giving thanks. It also provides a perfect caring environment to address important health concerns, and this includes 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 coping with it and encourage them to seek solutions.
Organizing a discussion to support your loved one
Creating a welcoming environment for someone with hearing loss can make a big difference during a family get-together. Here are some tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everyone, particularly for those who might struggle to hear clearly:
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Be sure you mention your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other members of the family. This will allow everyone to be prepared for the discussion and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel like they are being ambushed. When the entire family is aware and involved, the discussion is less likely to feel like criticism from one person and more like a collective show of support.
- 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 seat them at the end of the table, they will lose out on conversations happening a little further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. This decreases distractions and makes it much easier for your family member to pay attention to the conversation. Consider turning off the TV or other audio devices that might add to the noise.
Approaching the conversation with compassion
It’s essential to be thoughtful when initiating a conversation about a sensitive subject like hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a time when families get together and show support for one another and give thanks, making it the ideal setting for this conversation. The following are some tips about how to approach this conversation:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend small, helpful short-term changes. Encourage your loved one to ask others to speak more slowly or clearly if they’re having trouble understanding. Remind them that when they are in noisy settings, it’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves. These strategies can help them feel more included and less frustrated during get-togethers.
- Convey 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 Empathy: Inform your loved one that you’ve noticed they might be having trouble hearing and that you’re bringing it up because you care about their well-being. Frame the discussion around improving their quality of life instead of focusing on the issue itself. For example, you might say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a little harder for you to keep up with conversations recently, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
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 broach the idea of long-term solutions.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they know that they won’t need to go through any of the process by themselves. 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. Reinforce that taking this step is about enhancing their general quality of life and enjoying more moments together.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the discussion is going well, you could bring up potential solutions including hearing aids. Express that modern hearing aids are discreet, reliable, and can substantially improve their ability to engage in conversations and enjoy social activities. Maybe you could say something like “Hearing aids will improve your life and help you get greater joy from social connections, and there are so many options to select from, you will easily find a solution that works for you”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Suggest scheduling a hearing test as the next step. Let them know that you will help them schedule the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Help them comprehend that a hearing test is an easy, non-invasive way to get a better idea of their .
Families showing support for each other is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about joining together and showing our love and appreciation for each other. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to tackle a family member’s hearing loss as a thoughtful show of support that will help them experience the happiness of family get-togethers once again. Don’t fail to make the most of this loving and supportive setting to have a sincere discussion about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Future holiday gatherings 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 separated with your supportive care and empathy.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this significant discussion. It’s an act of love that could improve their experience not only during the holiday season, but throughout the whole year.