Thanksgiving is a cherished time for family gatherings, filled with laughter, stories, and sentiments of gratitude. It’s also a great opportunity to address important health concerns, including hearing loss, in a supportive and compassionate environment. With loved ones gathered around, this holiday can be a perfect time to initiate a conversation about hearing difficulties and encourage seeking solutions.
Planning a conversation to support your loved one
During family gatherings, it can make a big difference for a loved one with hearing loss, if you cultivate a caring and welcoming vibe. Here are a few tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everybody, especially for individuals who might struggle to hear clearly:
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Inform other family members that you plan to bring up the topic of hearing loss. This will allow everyone to be prepared for the conversation and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel as though 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 whole family is involved.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your family member will feel more involved in conversations if you seat them near the middle of the table. If you sit them at the end of the table, they will lose out on discussions happening a little further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a reduced volume. It will be easier to have a concentrated conversation with your loved one without the distraction of loud background noise. Consider turning off the TV or other electronic devices that may add to the noise.
Gently broaching the discussion
It’s essential to be compassionate when initiating a conversation about a sensitive topic like hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather and show support for one another and give thanks, making it the ideal setting for this discussion. Here’s how to approach the discussion:
- Express Gratitude and Care: Start by expressing how much your loved one means to you. Discuss how lucky you feel to have them in your life. This sets a positive tone and makes it clear that your worries comes from a place of love and care.
- Address the Problem with Compassion: Inform your loved one that it seems as if they might be having a hard time hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Instead of concentrating on the issue itself, talk more about how they can improve their quality of life. You might say something like “I want to help you get the most from these family get-togethers, and it seems like you may be having trouble keeping up with conversations”.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest simple changes that can help in the short term. Encourage your loved one to ask others to speak more slowly or clearly if they’re having difficulty understanding. Remind them that when they are in noisy settings, it’s acceptable to ask people to repeat themselves. By implementing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at gatherings.
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 initiate the idea of long-term solutions.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Point out 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 adapting to new hearing aids, assure them that their family is there to help. Help them understand that they will be able to better enjoy cherished 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 set up 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 discussion is going well, you might talk about potential solutions like hearing aids. Help them realize that hearing aids are discreet and will better their quality of life by improving their ability to participate in conversations and engage in social interactions. 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”.
The true spirit of Thanksgiving: showing support for one another
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and appreciation for each other. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to tackle a family member’s hearing loss as a meaningful show of support that will help them experience the happiness of family get-togethers once more. Don’t fail to take advantage of this loving and supportive environment to have a sincere discussion about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Encouraging your loved one to take the first step towards improved hearing can make future holidays even more unforgettable and enjoyable for everyone involved. Help them feel more included and less separated with your encouraging care and compassion.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this worthwhile conversation. This act of love will improve their lives every day not only during the holiday season.