Family Thanksgiving get-togethers are a time of storytelling, laughter, and, of course, giving thanks. It also provides a perfect caring atmosphere to tackle important health concerns, including hearing loss. With family members gathered around, this holiday can be a perfect moment to initiate a conversation about hearing troubles and encourage finding solutions.
Preparing for a supportive conversation
Developing a welcoming environment for somebody with hearing loss can make a huge difference during a family gathering. Here are a few tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everyone, particularly for people who may struggle to hear clearly:
- 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 prepared for the conversation and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel like they are being ambushed. When the entire family is aware and involved, the conversation is less likely to seem like criticism from a single person and more like a collective show of support.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your loved one will feel more involved in conversations if you seat them near the middle of the table. If you seat them at the end of the table, they will lose out on conversations taking place a little further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Keep music and other ambient noises at a low volume. It will be easier to have a concentrated discussion with your loved one without the distraction of loud background noise. Electronic devices, like the TV, can present significant distractions and it’s a good idea to turn them off before the discussion.
Approaching the conversation with care
It’s important to be compassionate 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:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend small changes that can help in the short term. Urge your loved one to ask others to talk more slowly or clearly if they’re having trouble understanding. Remind them that when they are in noisy environments, it’s acceptable to ask people to repeat themselves. By utilizing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
- Convey Gratitude and Care: Start by conveying how much your loved one means to you. Talk about how fortunate you feel to have them as a part of your life. This allows your loved one to know that you care about, and are concerned about their well-being, setting a positive tone from the outset.
- Address the Problem with Compassion: Inform your loved one that you’ve noticed they may be having trouble hearing and that you’re mentioning it because you care about their well-being. Frame the discussion around improving their quality of life rather than focusing on the problem itself. For instance, you might say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a bit more difficult for you to follow with conversations recently, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family 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 gently initiate the idea of long-term solutions.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Advocate for your loved one to schedule a hearing exam as the next thing they should do. Inform them that you will help them make the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Talk about the importance of having their hearing tested in order to identify the state of their hearing health.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If your loved one seems to be open to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be discussed. Share that modern hearing aids are discreet, effective, and can substantially better their ability to take part in conversations and enjoy social activities. You can say something like, “There are so many fantastic options now that could help you hear better and make it easier to join in the conversations”.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Point out that seeking treatment for hearing loss isn’t something they will have to confront alone. Let them know that the family is there to comfort them through the entire process, from scheduling appointments to adjusting to new hearing aids if necessary. Reinforce that taking this step is about improving their overall quality of life and enjoying more experiences together.
The true spirit of Thanksgiving: showing support for one another
Thanksgiving is about joining together and showing our love and gratitude for one another. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to address 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 heartfelt conversation about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Encouraging your loved one to take the first step towards better hearing can make future holidays even more unforgettable and enjoyable for everybody involved. Help them feel more included and less separated with your encouraging care and compassion.
This Thanksgiving, take a moment to have this important conversation. This act of love will enhance their lives every day not only during the holiday season.