Thanksgiving is a cherished time for family get-togethers, filled with laughter, stories, and sentiments of gratitude. 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 coping with it and encourage them to find solutions.
Organizing a discussion to support your loved one
Creating a welcoming environment for somebody with hearing loss can make a huge difference during a family gathering. The following are some suggestions to help everyone feel comfortable, especially loved ones who are dealing with hearing loss:
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Seat your loved one near the center of the table where they are more likely to be involved in conversations. Steer clear of seating them at the ends where they could struggle to hear conversations taking place further away.
- 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 feel like an ambush to your loved one, and everyone can be prepared to make contributions in a positive way. When the entire family is aware and engaged, the conversation is less likely to feel like criticism from one person and more like a collective show of support.
Minimize Background Noise: Keep music and other background noises at a lower volume. This reduces distractions and makes it easier for your family member to pay attention to the conversation. Electronic devices, like the TV, can present considerable distractions and it’s a good idea to turn them off before the conversation.
Gently broaching the conversation
Talking about hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s important to address it with empathy. Thanksgiving provides an ideal setting to have this conversation because it’s a time when families give thanks and show support for one another. Here’s how to tackle the discussion:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend simple changes that can help in the short term. 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 loud settings, it’s okay to ask people to repeat what they said. By implementing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
- Address the Problem with Empathy: Inform your loved one that it seems like they might 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 targeting the problem itself. For instance, you might say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a little harder for you to follow with conversations recently, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
- Express Gratitude and Care: Begin by articulating how much your loved one means to you. Describe how thankful you are to have them in your life. This sets a positive tone and makes it clear that your worries comes from a place of love and care.
Long-term solution should be discussed
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.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the discussion is going well, you might talk about 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 could say something like, “There are so many fantastic 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. Inform them that you will help them set up the appointment and of course, you will be there 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: Make sure they are aware that they won’t need to go through any of the process alone. From the process of scheduling and going to the appointments to adapting to new hearing aids, reassure them that their family is there to help. Help them realize that they will be able to better enjoy cherished moments with loved ones and an overall improved quality of life by taking this step.
Families supporting one another is the real spirit of Thanksgiving.
Coming together with loved ones and offering support is the real meaning of Thanksgiving. Approaching a loved one’s hearing loss during this time can be a thoughtful way to offer support and help them reconnect with the joy of family gatherings. Don’t miss the chance to have this sincere conversation in a setting where they can feel the full support of their family.
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 separated with your encouraging care and compassion.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this worthwhile conversation. It’s an act of love that could improve their experience not only during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year.