Thanksgiving is a cherished time for family get-togethers, filled with laughter, stories, and sentiments of gratitude. It also provides a perfect caring environment to address important health concerns, and this includes 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 might be coping with it and encourage them to seek solutions.
Preparing for a supportive conversation
Developing a welcoming environment for someone with hearing loss can make a huge difference during a family get-together. The following are some suggestions to help everybody feel comfortable, especially family members who are coping with hearing loss:
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Let other family members know that you plan to bring up the subject 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.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Seat your loved one near the center of the table where they are more likely to be involved in conversations. If you sit them at the end of the table, they will miss out on conversations taking place a little further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. It will be easier to have a concentrated discussion with your family member without the distraction of loud background noise. Electronic devices, such as the TV, can present substantial distractions and it’s a smart plan to turn them off before the discussion.
Approaching the conversation with care
Mentioning hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s essential to approach it with empathy. Thanksgiving provides a perfect setting to have this conversation because it’s a time when families give thanks and show support for one another. Here’s how to tackle the conversation:
- Address the Issue with Empathy: Inform your loved one that it seems like they may be having difficulty hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Structure the discussion around improving their quality of life instead of concentrating on the issue itself. 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 difficulty understanding. Remind them that it’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves in loud environments. By utilizing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
- Convey Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to tell your loved one that they mean a lot to you. Mention how thankful you are that they are part of 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.
Long-term solution should be discussed
Once your loved one feels supported and recognizes that the conversation comes from a place of concern, you can delicately present the idea of exploring long-term solutions.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Emphasize that seeking treatment for hearing loss isn’t something they need to confront alone. From the process of scheduling and going to the appointments to adjusting to new hearing aids, assure them that their family is there to help. Reinforce that taking this step is about improving their general quality of life and enjoying more experiences together.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If your loved one seems to be open to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be discussed. Express that modern hearing aids are discreet, effective, and can substantially improve their ability to engage in conversations and enjoy social events. Perhaps you could say something like “Hearing aids will improve your life and help you get greater joy from social connections, and there are so many options to choose from, you will easily find a solution that works for you”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Encourage scheduling a hearing test 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. Talk about the importance of getting their hearing tested in order to identify the state of their hearing health.
Families showing support for one another is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Coming together with loved ones and offering support is the real meaning of Thanksgiving. Addressing 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 gatherings. Don’t miss the opportunity to have this heartfelt conversation in an environment 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 inspired your loved one to take this significant first step. By exhibiting care and empathy, 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 conversation. It’s an act of love that could transform their experience not only during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year.