Family Thanksgiving gatherings are a time of storytelling, laughter, and, of course, giving thanks. It also provides a perfect caring atmosphere to address important health concerns, including hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a holiday when family members get together, making it the ideal time to broach the topic of hearing loss with loved ones who might be dealing with it and encourage them to seek solutions.
Planning a conversation to support your loved one
Developing 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 everyone, particularly for people who might struggle to hear clearly:
- Minimize Background Noise: Keep music and other background noises at a low volume. It will be easier to have a focused discussion with your family member without the distraction of loud background noise. Think about turning off the TV or other audio devices that might increase the noise.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Inform other family members that you plan to bring up the subject of hearing loss. This will allow everyone to be ready for the conversation and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel as though they are being ambushed. It will seem more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the individual with hearing loss, when the entire family is involved.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your family member will feel more involved in conversations if you seat them near the middle of the table. If you seat them at the end of the table, they will lose out on discussions happening a little further away.
Initiating the conversation with care
It’s essential to be thoughtful when beginning a conversation about a sensitive topic like hearing loss. Thanksgiving offers an ideal setting to have this conversation because it’s a time when families express gratitude and show support for one another. The following are some guidelines about how to deal with this discussion:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest simple changes that can help in the short term. If your loved one is having a hard time understanding what people are saying, encourage them to request that people speak more slowly and clearly. Remind them that it’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves in noisy environments. By employing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at gatherings.
- Convey Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to tell your loved one that they mean a lot to you. Describe how thankful you are that they are part of 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 Compassion: Inform your loved one that it seems as if they might be having trouble hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Instead of focusing on the issue itself, talk more about how they can improve their quality of life. You might say something like “I want to help you get the most from these family gatherings, and it seems like you might be having a hard time following conversations”.
Long-term solution should be discussed
Once your loved one feels supported and understands that the discussion comes from a place of concern, you can gently introduce the concept of exploring long-term solutions.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Encourage scheduling a hearing exam as the next step. Inform them that you will help them make the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Discuss the importance of getting their hearing assessed in order to determine the state of their hearing health.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they know that they won’t have to go through any of the process alone. From the process of scheduling and going to the appointments to adapting to new hearing aids, assure 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.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the discussion is going well, you might bring up potential solutions like hearing aids. Help them understand that hearing aids are discreet and will better their quality of life by enhancing their ability to participate in conversations and engage in social interactions. 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”.
The true spirit of Thanksgiving: supporting each other
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and appreciation for one another. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to address a family member’s hearing loss as a thoughtful show of support that will help them find the happiness of family gatherings once more. Don’t fail to take advantage of this loving and supportive environment to have a heartfelt conversation about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Future holiday gatherings will be that much more enjoyable and memorable after you have successfully encouraged your loved one to take this significant first step. Help them feel more included and less isolated with your supportive care and compassion.
This Thanksgiving, take a moment to have this important discussion. This act of love will improve their lives every day not just during the holiday season.
