Family Thanksgiving get-togethers are a time of storytelling, merriment, and, of course, giving thanks. It also provides a perfect caring environment to address essential health concerns, and this includes hearing loss. With loved ones gathered around, this holiday can serve as a perfect moment to start a conversation about hearing troubles and encourage finding solutions.
Preparing for a supportive discussion
During family gatherings, it can make a big difference for a loved one who has hearing loss, if you cultivate a compassionate and welcoming vibe. The following are a few suggestions to help everyone feel comfortable, particularly family members who are dealing with hearing loss:
- Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. It will be easier to have a focused discussion with your loved one 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 conversation.
- 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 might struggle to hear discussions occurring further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Be sure you discuss your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other family members. This way, it won’t seem like an ambush to your loved one, and everybody can be prepared to contribute positively. 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.
Initiating the discussion with care
It’s important to be thoughtful when beginning a conversation about a sensitive topic like hearing loss. Thanksgiving provides an ideal setting to have this conversation because it’s a time when families express gratitude and show support for each other. Here’s how to approach the discussion:
- Address the Problem with Empathy: Inform your loved one that it seems as if they might be having trouble hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Frame the discussion around improving their quality of life rather than targeting the problem itself. For example, you might say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a little more difficult for you to follow with conversations recently, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest small, helpful short-term changes. If your loved one is having a hard time understanding what people are saying, encourage them to request that people speak more slowly and clearly. Remind them that when they are in noisy settings, it’s okay to ask people to repeat what they said. By utilizing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
- Convey Gratitude and Care: Begin by articulating how much your loved one means to you. Talk about how thankful you are that they are part of your life. This lets your loved one know that you care about, and are concerned about their well-being, setting 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 gently initiate the idea of long-term solutions.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Suggest scheduling a hearing exam as the next step. Let them know that you will help them schedule the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Talk about the importance of having their hearing evaluated in order to determine the state of their hearing health.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the conversation is going well, you could talk about potential solutions like hearing aids. Share that modern hearing aids are discreet, reliable, and can substantially better their ability to engage in conversations and enjoy social events. Maybe you could say something like “Hearing aids will improve your life and help you get more joy from social interactions, and there are so many options to select from, you will easily find a solution that works for you”.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they understand that they won’t have to deal with 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 needed. Reinforce that taking this step is about improving their general quality of life and enjoying more experiences together.
Families showing support for each other is the real spirit of Thanksgiving.
Getting 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 thoughtful way to offer support and help them reconnect with the joy of family get-togethers. Don’t miss the opportunity to have this heartfelt conversation in an environment where they can feel the full support of their family.
Motivating your loved one to take the first step towards better hearing can make future holidays even more memorable and enjoyable for everybody involved. By showing care and empathy, you will help them feel less separated and more included in the moments that matter most.
Take a little time to initiate this significant conversation this Thanksgiving. It’s an act of love that could improve their experience not just during the holiday season, but throughout the whole year.