Thanksgiving is a cherished time for family gatherings, filled with merriment, stories, and sentiments of gratitude. It’s also a unique opportunity to address essential health concerns, such as hearing loss, in a supportive and compassionate environment. 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 dealing with it and encourage them to find solutions.
Getting ready for a supportive discussion
Developing a welcoming setting for somebody with hearing loss can make a huge difference during a family gathering. The following are a few guidelines to help everyone feel comfortable, especially family members who are dealing with hearing loss:
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your loved one will feel more included in conversations if you seat them near the center of the table. If you seat them at the end of the table, they will lose out on conversations taking place a little further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Make 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 as if they are being ambushed. When the whole family is aware and involved, the conversation is less likely to feel like criticism from one person and more like a collective show of support.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a reduced volume. It will be easier to have a focused discussion with your loved one without the distraction of loud background noise. Electronic devices, like the TV, can present significant distractions and it’s a smart plan to turn them off before the conversation.
Initiating the conversation with compassion
Talking about hearing loss can be delicate, and it’s important to approach it with compassion. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather and show support for one another and give thanks, making it the ideal setting for this discussion. Here’s how to approach the conversation:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend small, helpful short-term changes. Urge your loved one to ask others to speak more slowly or clearly if they’re having trouble understanding. Remind them that it’s fine to ask people to repeat themselves in loud environments. These strategies can help them feel more included and less frustrated during gatherings.
- Convey Gratitude and Care: Begin by conveying how much your loved one means to you. Mention how thankful you are to have them in your life. This allows your loved one to know that you care about, and are worried about their well-being, creating a positive tone from the start.
- Address the Problem with Empathy: Inform your loved one 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 enhance their quality of life. For instance, you may say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a little harder for you to follow with conversations lately, and I want to make sure you can really 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 delicately introduce the concept of exploring long-term solutions.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Point out that seeking treatment for hearing loss isn’t something they will have to confront alone. Let them know that the family is there to comfort them through the entire process, from scheduling appointments to adapting to new hearing aids if needed. Reinforce that taking this step is about improving their overall quality of life and enjoying more moments together.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If your loved one seems to be receptive to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be discussed. Share that modern hearing aids are discreet, effective, and can substantially better their ability to take part in conversations and enjoy social events. You can say something like, “There are so many great options now that could help you hear better and make it easier to be a part of conversations”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Suggest scheduling a hearing exam as the next step. Inform them 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 a simple, non-invasive way to get a clearer picture of their .
Families supporting each other is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about joining together and showing our love and appreciation for one another. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to tackle a loved one’s hearing loss as a meaningful show of support that will help them experience the joy of family gatherings once more. Don’t miss the opportunity to have this sincere discussion in a setting where they can feel the full support of their family.
Future holiday gatherings will be that much more enjoyable and unforgettable after you have successfully encouraged your loved one to take this important first step. Help them feel more included and less isolated with your supportive care and empathy.
Take a little time to initiate this important discussion this Thanksgiving. It’s an act of love that could improve their experience not only during the holiday season, but throughout the whole year.