Family Thanksgiving get-togethers are a time of storytelling, laughter, and, of course, giving thanks. It’s also a unique opportunity to address essential health concerns, including hearing loss, in a supportive and compassionate environment. With loved ones gathered around, this holiday can be a perfect moment to initiate a conversation about hearing troubles and encourage finding solutions.
Organizing a discussion to support your loved one
Developing a welcoming environment for somebody with hearing loss can make a huge difference during a family gathering. Here are a few tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everybody, especially for people who might struggle to hear clearly:
- Minimize Background Noise: Keep music and other background noises at a lower volume. This decreases distractions and makes it much easier for your loved one to pay attention to the conversation. Electronic devices, such as the TV, can present considerable distractions and it’s a good idea to turn them off before the conversation.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Position your loved one near the middle of the table where they are more likely to be included in conversations. Avoid placing them at the ends where they may struggle to hear conversations happening further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Be sure you mention your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other family members. This will allow everybody to be ready for the discussion 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 person with hearing loss, when the entire family is involved.
Approaching the conversation with compassion
It’s essential to be compassionate when beginning a conversation about a sensitive subject like hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather and show support for each other and give thanks, making it the perfect setting for this discussion. The following are some guidelines 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 lucky you feel to have them in your life. This allows your loved one to know that you care about, and are concerned about their well-being, creating a positive tone from the outset.
- Address the Issue with Empathy: Inform your loved one that you’ve noticed they may be having trouble 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 improve their quality of life. For instance, you may say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a little more difficult for you to keep up with conversations recently, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend small, helpful short-term changes. Encourage your loved one to ask others to talk more slowly or clearly if they’re having trouble understanding. Remind them that it’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves in loud environments. These approaches can help them feel more included and less frustrated during get-togethers.
Discussing long-term solutions
Once your loved one feels supported and knows that the discussion comes from a place of concern, you can gently introduce the concept of exploring long-term solutions.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they are aware that they won’t need to go through any of the process by themselves. 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. Help them comprehend that they will be able to better enjoy precious moments with loved ones and an overall improved quality of life by taking this step.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Advocate for your loved one to schedule a hearing exam 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 clearer picture of their .
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the conversation is going well, you might bring up potential solutions including hearing aids. Express that modern hearing aids are discreet, effective, and can substantially improve their ability to participate in conversations and enjoy social activities. 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”.
The genuine spirit of Thanksgiving: showing support for one another
Thanksgiving is about joining together and showing our love and gratitude for each other. 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 happiness of family get-togethers once more. Don’t fail to make the most of this loving and supportive environment to have a sincere conversation about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Future holiday gatherings 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 moment to have this significant conversation. This act of love will better their lives every day not just during the holiday season.