Family Thanksgiving gatherings are a time of storytelling, merriment, and, of course, giving thanks. It also provides a perfect caring environment to tackle essential health concerns, including hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a holiday when family members get together, making it the perfect time to broach the topic of hearing loss with loved ones who might be dealing with it and encourage them to find solutions.
Organizing a discussion to support your loved one
During family get-togethers, it can make a big difference for a family member who has hearing loss, if you create a compassionate and welcoming vibe. The following are some guidelines to help everybody feel comfortable, especially family members who are coping with hearing loss:
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Seat your loved one near the middle of the table where they are more likely to be included in conversations. Avoid placing them at the ends where they may struggle to hear conversations happening further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Let other family members know that you plan to talk about the subject of hearing loss. This will allow everybody to be ready for the conversation 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 person with hearing loss, when the whole family is involved.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a reduced volume. It will be easier to have a focused conversation with your family member without the distraction of loud background noise. Electronic devices, such as the TV, can present significant distractions and it’s a good idea to turn them off before the discussion.
Delicately broaching the discussion
It’s essential to be thoughtful when initiating a conversation about a sensitive subject like hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a time when families get together and show support for each other and express gratitude, making it the ideal setting for this discussion. Here’s how to tackle the discussion:
- Express Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to tell your loved one that they mean a lot to you. Discuss how blessed you feel to have them in your life. This lets your loved one know that you care about, and are worried about their well-being, setting a positive tone from the beginning.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend small 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 ask that people speak more slowly and clearly. Remind them that it’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves in noisy settings. These approaches can help them feel more included and less frustrated during gatherings.
- Address the Issue with Compassion: Inform your loved one that you’ve noticed they might be having trouble hearing and that you’re bringing it up because you care about their well-being. Frame the discussion around improving their quality of life rather than targeting the issue itself. You may say something like “I want to help you get the most from these family get-togethers, and it seems as if you might be having trouble following conversations”.
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 exam as the next thing they should do. Offer to help establish the appointment or go with them for support. Talk about the importance of getting their hearing evaluated in order to identify the state of their hearing health.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they understand that they won’t have to deal with any of the process alone. From the process of scheduling and going to the appointments to adjusting to new hearing aids, reassure them that their family is there to help. Help them understand that they will be able to better enjoy precious moments with loved ones and an overall improved quality of life by taking this step.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the conversation is going well, you might bring up potential solutions like hearing aids. Express that modern hearing aids are discreet, reliable, and can significantly better their ability to take part in conversations and enjoy social activities. You can 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”.
The genuine spirit of Thanksgiving: supporting each other
Thanksgiving is about joining together and showing our love and appreciation for each other. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to address a family member’s hearing loss as a thoughtful show of support that will help them experience the joy of family get-togethers once again. Don’t fail to take advantage of this loving and supportive setting to have a heartfelt conversation about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Inspiring your loved one to take the first step towards better hearing can make future holidays even more memorable and enjoyable for everybody involved. Help them feel more included and less separated with your supportive care and empathy.
Take a little time to begin 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.
