Thanksgiving is a treasured time for family get-togethers, filled with merriment, stories, and moments of gratitude. It also offers a perfect caring atmosphere to tackle important health concerns, including hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a holiday when family members get together, making it the ideal time to broach the topic of hearing loss with loved ones who may be dealing with it and encourage them to find solutions.
Organizing a conversation to support your loved one
During family get-togethers, it can make a big difference for a family member with hearing loss, if you cultivate a compassionate and welcoming vibe. Here are a few tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everybody, particularly for individuals who may struggle to hear clearly:
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Position 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 happening a little further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Make sure you mention your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other members of the family. This way, it won’t feel 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 individual with hearing loss, when the entire family is involved.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a reduced volume. This reduces distractions and makes it easier for your loved one to focus on the conversation. Electronic devices, like the TV, can present significant distractions and it’s a smart plan to turn them off before the conversation.
Approaching the conversation with compassion
It’s important to be thoughtful when beginning a conversation about a sensitive topic like hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather and show support for one another and express gratitude, making it the perfect setting for this discussion. The following are some tips about how to approach this discussion:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest 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 difficulty understanding. Remind them that when they are in loud settings, it’s okay to ask people to repeat what they said. These approaches can help them feel more included and less frustrated during get-togethers.
- Address the Issue with Compassion: Inform your loved one that you’ve noticed they might be having difficulty hearing and that you’re mentioning it because you care about their well-being. Structure the discussion around improving their quality of life instead of concentrating on the issue itself. For instance, you might say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a bit harder for you to follow with conversations lately, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
- Express Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to tell your loved one that they mean a lot to you. Describe how thankful you are that they are part of your life. This lets your loved one know that you care about, and are worried about their well-being, creating a positive tone from the beginning.
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 gently present the idea of exploring long-term solutions.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If your loved one seems to be open to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be mentioned. 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. You could say something like, “There are so many excellent options now that could help you hear better and make it easier to be a part of conversations”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Suggest scheduling a hearing exam 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. Discuss the importance of getting their hearing tested in order to determine the state of their hearing health.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Emphasize that seeking treatment for hearing loss isn’t something they need to face alone. Let them know that the family is there to support them through the whole process, from making appointments to adapting to new hearing aids if necessary. 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.
Families supporting one another is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and appreciation for one another. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to address a loved one’s hearing loss as a meaningful show of support that will help them find the happiness of family get-togethers once more. Don’t miss the opportunity to have this sincere discussion in a setting 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 important first step. Help them feel more included and less separated with your encouraging care and compassion.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this important conversation. It’s an act of love that could transform their experience not just during the holiday season, but throughout the whole year.