Family Thanksgiving get-togethers are a time of storytelling, laughter, and, of course, giving thanks. It also offers a perfect caring environment to address important health concerns, including hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a holiday when family gathers 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.
Planning a conversation to support your loved one
Developing a welcoming environment for somebody with hearing loss can make a big difference during a family get-together. Here are some tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everybody, especially for people who might struggle to hear clearly:
- 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 ready for the discussion and your loved one with hearing loss won’t feel like they are being ambushed. When the whole family is aware and involved, the discussion is less likely to feel like criticism from a single person and more like a collective show of support.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Seat your loved one near the middle of the table where they are more likely to be included in conversations. Steer clear of placing them at the ends where they might struggle to hear conversations taking place further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. This reduces distractions and makes it much easier for your family member to pay attention to the conversation. Think about turning off the TV or other electronic devices that might increase the noise.
Delicately broaching the discussion
Talking about hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s important to address it with empathy. Thanksgiving provides a perfect setting to have this talk because it’s a time when families give thanks and show support for each other. The following are some tips about how to approach this conversation:
- Express 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 blessed you feel to have them in your life. This lets your loved one know that you care about, and are worried about their well-being, setting a positive tone from the start.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend small changes that can help in the short term. Urge 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 environments, it’s acceptable to ask people to repeat themselves. These strategies can help them feel more included and less frustrated during gatherings.
- Address the Issue with Compassion: Inform your loved one that it seems as if they may be having a hard time hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Structure the discussion around improving their quality of life instead of focusing on the issue itself. You might say something like “I want to help you get the most from these family get-togethers, and it seems as if you might be having trouble following conversations”.
Long-term solution should be discussed
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.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Advocate for your loved one to schedule a hearing test as the next thing they should do. Offer to help establish the appointment or go with them for support. Help them comprehend that a hearing test is an easy, non-invasive way to get a better idea of their .
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If your loved one seems to be open to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be mentioned. 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 excellent options now that could help you hear better and make it easier to be a part of conversations”.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Point out that seeking treatment for hearing loss isn’t something they need to confront alone. Let them know that the family is there to comfort them through the entire process, from making appointments to adapting to new hearing aids if needed. Reinforce that taking this step is about enhancing their overall quality of life and enjoying more experiences together.
Families supporting each other is the real spirit of Thanksgiving.
Coming together with loved ones and showing support is the real meaning of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to tackle a loved one’s hearing loss as a thoughtful show of support that will help them find the joy of family gatherings once more. Don’t miss the opportunity to have this sincere discussion in an environment where they can feel the full support of their family.
Encouraging your loved one to take the first step towards improved hearing can make future holidays even more memorable and enjoyable for everybody involved. Help them feel more included and less isolated with your encouraging care and empathy.
Take a little time to begin this important conversation this Thanksgiving. This act of love will improve their lives every day not only during the holiday season.