Thanksgiving is a treasured time for family get-togethers, filled with laughter, stories, and sentiments of gratitude. It’s also a good opportunity to address important health concerns, such as hearing loss, in a supportive and compassionate environment. Thanksgiving is a holiday when family gathers together, making it the ideal time to broach the topic of hearing loss with loved ones who may be coping with it and encourage them to seek solutions.
Organizing 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 create a caring and welcoming vibe. The following are a few suggestions to help everyone feel comfortable, particularly family members who are coping with hearing loss:
- Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. It will be easier to have a concentrated conversation with your loved one without the distraction of loud background noise. Electronic devices, like the TV, can present significant distractions and it’s a smart plan to turn them off before the conversation.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Make sure you discuss your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other family members. This will allow everyone to be prepared for the discussion and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel as though they are being ambushed. When the entire family is aware and involved, the discussion is less likely to feel like criticism from one person and more like a family show of support.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Position your loved one near the center of the table where they are more likely to be included in conversations. If you seat them at the end of the table, they will miss out on discussions taking place a little further away.
Gently broaching the conversation
Bringing up hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s essential to approach it with empathy. Thanksgiving offers an ideal setting to have this discussion because it’s a time when families give thanks and show support for each other. Here’s how to tackle the discussion:
- Convey Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to tell your loved one that they mean a lot to you. Talk about how thankful you are to have them in your life. This sets a positive tone and makes it clear that your worries comes from a place of care and love.
- Address the Problem with Empathy: Inform your loved one that it seems as if they may be having difficulty 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. For example, you may say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a bit harder for you to follow with conversations recently, and I want to make sure you can really enjoy our family gatherings”.
- 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 request that people speak more slowly and clearly. Remind them that when they are in loud environments, it’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves. These approaches can help them feel more included and less frustrated during gatherings.
Long-term solution should be discussed
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.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Advocate for your loved one to schedule a hearing test as the next thing they should do. Inform them that you will help them set up the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Help them understand that a hearing test is an easy, non-invasive way to get a better idea of their .
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Point out that seeking treatment for hearing loss isn’t something they will have to face alone. From the process of scheduling and going to the appointments to adapting to new hearing aids, reassure 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.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If your loved one seems to be receptive to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be discussed. Help them understand that hearing aids are discreet and will better their quality of life by enhancing 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 greater joy from social connections, and there are so many options to select from, you will easily find a solution that works for you”.
Families showing support for one another is the real spirit of Thanksgiving.
Getting together with loved ones and offering support is the real spirit of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to address a family member’s hearing loss as a thoughtful show of support that will help them experience the joy of family gatherings once again. Don’t fail to take advantage of this loving and supportive setting 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 inspired your loved one to take this important first step. Help them feel more included and less isolated with your encouraging care and empathy.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this worthwhile conversation. This act of love will better their lives every day not only during the holiday season.