Family Thanksgiving get-togethers are a time of storytelling, merriment, and, of course, giving thanks. It’s also a unique occasion to address essential health concerns, including hearing loss, in a supportive and compassionate setting. 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 may be dealing with it and encourage them to find solutions.
Organizing a conversation to support your loved one
Developing a welcoming setting for someone with hearing loss can make a big difference during a family gathering. The following are some guidelines to help everybody feel comfortable, particularly family members who are dealing with hearing loss:
- Minimize Background Noise: Keep music and other ambient noises at a low volume. This reduces distractions and makes it easier for your family member to pay attention to the conversation. Think about turning off the TV or other audio devices that might increase the noise.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Let other family members know that you plan to bring up the subject of hearing loss. This will allow everybody to be prepared for the discussion and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel as if they are being ambushed. It will seem more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the individual with hearing loss, when the whole family is involved.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your loved one will feel more included in conversations if you seat them near the center of the table. Avoid seating them at the ends where they may struggle to hear conversations taking place further away.
Approaching the discussion with care
Bringing up hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s important to address it with empathy. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather and show support for one another and express gratitude, making it the perfect setting for this discussion. The following are some tips about how to deal with this discussion:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest simple changes that can help in the short term. 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 okay to ask people to repeat what they said in loud settings. By utilizing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
- Address the Problem with Compassion: Let your loved one know 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 problem itself, talk more about how they can improve their quality of life. You may say something like “I want to help you get the most from these family get-togethers, and it seems like you might be having difficulty following conversations”.
- Convey Gratitude and Care: Begin by conveying how much your loved one means to you. Talk about how lucky you feel to have them as a part of your life. This lets your loved one know that you care about, and are concerned about their well-being, creating a positive tone from the start.
Discussing long-term solutions
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 your loved one seems to be open to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be mentioned. Express that modern hearing aids are discreet, reliable, and can substantially better their ability to participate in conversations and enjoy social activities. Perhaps you could say something like “Hearing aids will improve your life and help you get more joy from social connections, and there are so many options to select from, you will easily find a solution that works for you”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Suggest scheduling a hearing exam as the next step. Offer to help establish the appointment or go with them for support. Talk about the importance of having their hearing tested in order to determine the state of their hearing health.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they are aware that they won’t have to go through any of the process by themselves. Let them know that the family is there to support them through the entire process, from scheduling appointments to adapting to new hearing aids if necessary. Reinforce that taking this step is about improving their overall quality of life and enjoying more moments together.
The genuine spirit of Thanksgiving: showing support for one another
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and appreciation 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 happiness of family get-togethers. Don’t fail to make the most of this loving and supportive environment to have a heartfelt discussion about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Future holiday gatherings will be that much more pleasant and memorable after you have successfully encouraged your loved one to take this significant first step. By showing care and compassion, you will help them feel less isolated and more included in the moments that matter most.
This Thanksgiving, take a moment to have this significant discussion. It’s an act of love that could transform their experience not only during the holiday season, but throughout the whole year.