Thanksgiving is a treasured time for family gatherings, filled with merriment, stories, and moments of gratitude. It’s also a great opportunity to address essential health concerns, such as hearing loss, in a supportive and caring environment. 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.
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 some tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everyone, particularly for individuals who might struggle to hear clearly:
- Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. It will be easier to have a focused conversation with your loved one without the distraction of loud background noise. Consider turning off the TV or other audio devices that might add to the noise.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Inform other family members that you plan to talk about the topic of hearing loss. This way, it won’t feel like an ambush to your loved one, and everybody can be ready to make contributions in a positive way. When the entire family is aware and involved, the conversation is less likely to seem like criticism from one person and more like a collective show of support.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your family member will feel more involved in conversations if you sit them near the center of the table. If you sit them at the end of the table, they will miss out on conversations taking place a little further away.
Approaching the discussion with compassion
Talking about hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s important to approach it with empathy. Thanksgiving provides a perfect setting to have this conversation because it’s a time when families give thanks and show support for one another. The following are some tips about how to approach this discussion:
- Address the Issue with Empathy: Inform your loved one that you’ve noticed they may be having difficulty hearing and that you’re mentioning it because you care about their well-being. Instead of focusing on the problem itself, talk more about how they can enhance 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 as if you may be having difficulty keeping up with conversations”.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend simple changes that can help in the short term. Encourage 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 loud settings, it’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves. By utilizing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at gatherings.
- Convey Gratitude and Care: Start by expressing how much your loved one means to you. Discuss how fortunate you feel to have them in your life. This allows your loved one to know that you care about, and are worried about their well-being, creating a positive tone from the start.
Long-term solution should be discussed
Once your loved one feels supported and understands that the discussion comes from a place of concern, you can delicately present the idea of exploring long-term solutions.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the discussion is going well, you could bring up potential solutions including hearing aids. Share that modern hearing aids are discreet, reliable, and can substantially improve their ability to participate in conversations and enjoy social activities. 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 test as the next step. Let them know that you will help them set up the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Talk about the importance of getting their hearing assessed in order to determine the state of their hearing health.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they know that they won’t have to deal with any of the process 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 comprehend that they will be able to better enjoy cherished moments with loved ones and an overall improved quality of life by taking this step.
The true spirit of Thanksgiving: supporting each other
Getting together with loved ones and showing support is the real spirit of Thanksgiving. Approaching 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 gatherings. Don’t miss the opportunity to have this sincere conversation in an environment where they can feel the full support of their family.
Motivating 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 isolated with your supportive care and empathy.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this significant conversation. It’s an act of love that could improve their experience not only during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year.