Family Thanksgiving get-togethers are a time of storytelling, laughter, and, of course, giving thanks. It’s also a good occasion to address essential health concerns, such as hearing loss, in a supportive and caring setting. Thanksgiving is a holiday when family gathers together, making it the ideal time to broach the topic of hearing loss with loved ones who might be coping with it and encourage them to find solutions.
Planning a conversation to support your loved one
Creating a welcoming environment for someone with hearing loss can make a huge difference during a family gathering. The following are some suggestions to help everyone feel comfortable, especially family members who are coping with hearing loss:
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Seat your loved one near the center of the table where they are more likely to be involved in conversations. Steer clear of seating them at the ends where they could struggle to hear conversations taking place further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Make sure you mention your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other family members. This will allow everyone to be prepared for the discussion and your loved one 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 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 decreases distractions and makes it easier for your family member to focus on the conversation. Electronic devices, like the TV, can present substantial distractions and it’s a smart plan to turn them off before the discussion.
Delicately broaching the discussion
It’s essential to be thoughtful when initiating a conversation about a sensitive topic like hearing loss. Thanksgiving offers a perfect setting to have this conversation because it’s a time when families express gratitude and show support for each other. The following are some tips about how to deal with this discussion:
- 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 it’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves in noisy environments. These approaches can help them feel more included and less frustrated during get-togethers.
- Address the Problem with Compassion: Inform your loved one that you’ve noticed they might be having difficulty hearing and that you’re bringing it up because you care about their well-being. Instead of focusing on the problem itself, talk more about how they can improve their quality of life. For example, you might say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a little more difficult for you to keep up with conversations recently, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
- Convey Gratitude and Care: Start by articulating 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 worried about their well-being, setting a positive tone from the start.
Discussing long-term solutions
Once your loved one feels supported and knows that the conversation comes from a place of concern, you can gently present the concept of exploring long-term solutions.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Advocate for your loved one to schedule a hearing exam as the next thing they should do. Let them know that you will help them make the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Discuss the importance of having their hearing tested in order to determine the state of their hearing health.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the discussion is going well, you could bring up potential solutions like hearing aids. Share that modern hearing aids are discreet, reliable, and can substantially better their ability to engage 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”.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they are aware that they won’t need to deal with any of the process by themselves. From the process of scheduling and going to the appointments to adjusting to new hearing aids, assure them that their family is there to help. Reinforce that taking this step is about enhancing their general quality of life and enjoying more experiences together.
Families supporting each other is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about joining together and showing our love and gratitude for one another. Addressing a loved one’s hearing loss during this time can be a thoughtful way to offer support and help them reconnect with the happiness of family gatherings. 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 get-togethers will be that much more enjoyable and unforgettable after you have successfully inspired your loved one to take this important first step. By exhibiting care and empathy, you will help them feel less separated and more included in the moments that matter most.
Take a little time to initiate this significant discussion this Thanksgiving. It’s an act of love that could transform their experience not only during the holiday season, but throughout the whole year.
