Thanksgiving is a treasured time for family get-togethers, filled with laughter, stories, and moments of gratitude. It’s also a great occasion to address important health concerns, including hearing loss, in a supportive and caring environment. With loved ones gathered around, this holiday can serve as a perfect moment to initiate a conversation about hearing troubles and encourage finding solutions.
Organizing a discussion to support your loved one
Creating a welcoming setting for someone with hearing loss can make a big 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: Your loved one will feel more involved in conversations if you sit them near the center of the table. Avoid seating them at the ends where they might struggle to hear conversations happening further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Inform other family members that you plan to talk about the topic of hearing loss. This will allow everyone to be ready for the conversation and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel as if they are being ambushed. It will feel more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the individual with hearing loss, when the entire family is involved.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a reduced volume. This reduces distractions and makes it much easier for your loved one to focus on the conversation. Electronic devices, such as the TV, can present substantial distractions and it’s a smart plan to turn them off before the discussion.
Delicately broaching the conversation
Talking about hearing loss can be delicate, and it’s important to address it with empathy. Thanksgiving offers a perfect setting to have this discussion because it’s a time when families express gratitude and show support for one another. The following are some tips about how to deal with this discussion:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend small, helpful short-term changes. If your loved one is having a hard time understanding what people are saying, encourage them to ask that people speak more slowly and clearly. Remind them that it’s fine to ask people to repeat what they said in noisy environments. By implementing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
- 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 rather than targeting the problem itself. You may say something like “I want to help you get the most from these family gatherings, and it seems like you may be having trouble keeping up with conversations”.
- Express Gratitude and Care: Start by conveying how much your loved one means to you. Discuss how fortunate you feel to have them in your life. This sets a positive tone and makes it clear that your concern comes from a place of love and care.
Long-term solution should be discussed
Once your loved one feels supported and knows that the discussion comes from a place of concern, you can delicately introduce the idea of exploring long-term solutions.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the conversation is going well, you could talk about potential solutions including hearing aids. Share that modern hearing aids are discreet, effective, and can substantially better their ability to take part in conversations and enjoy social activities. 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”.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they understand that they won’t need to deal with any of the process alone. Let them know that the family is there to comfort them through the entire process, from scheduling appointments to adjusting to new hearing aids if needed. Reinforce that taking this step is about improving their overall quality of life and enjoying more moments together.
- 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. Discuss the importance of getting their hearing tested in order to identify the state of their hearing health.
The true spirit of Thanksgiving: showing support for one another
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and gratitude for each other. Approaching a loved one’s hearing loss during this time can be a meaningful way to offer support and help them reconnect with the joy of family get-togethers. Don’t miss the chance to have this heartfelt discussion in a setting where they can feel the full support of their family.
Future holiday get-togethers will be that much more pleasant and memorable after you have successfully encouraged 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 important conversation. It’s an act of love that could improve their experience not just during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year.