Thanksgiving is a treasured time for family get-togethers, filled with merriment, stories, and sentiments of gratitude. It also provides a perfect caring environment to address important health concerns, and this includes hearing loss. With loved ones gathered around, this holiday can be a perfect moment to start a conversation about hearing difficulties and encourage finding solutions.
Organizing a discussion to support your loved one
During family gatherings, it can make a big difference for a loved one who has hearing loss, if you cultivate a compassionate and welcoming vibe. Here are some tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everyone, especially for people who might struggle to hear clearly:
- Minimize Background Noise: Keep music and other ambient noises at a reduced volume. This decreases distractions and makes it easier for your loved one to focus on the conversation. Think about turning off the TV or other audio devices that may add to the noise.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Seat your loved one near the middle of the table where they are more likely to be included in conversations. If you sit them at the end of the table, they will miss out on conversations taking place 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 will allow everybody to be prepared for the discussion and your loved one with hearing loss won’t feel as if they are being ambushed. When the entire family is aware and engaged, the conversation is less likely to seem like criticism from one person and more like a family show of support.
Initiating the discussion with compassion
Mentioning hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s essential to approach it with compassion. Thanksgiving is a time when families get together and show support for each other and give thanks, making it the ideal setting for this conversation. Here’s how to approach the discussion:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest small changes that can help in the short term. If your loved one is having a difficult 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 strategies can help them feel more included and less frustrated during gatherings.
- Express Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to let your loved one know that they mean a lot to you. Discuss how fortunate you feel to have them as a part of your life. This lets your loved one know that you care about, and are concerned about their well-being, setting a positive tone from the start.
- Address the Problem with Compassion: Inform your loved one that it seems as if they might be having trouble hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Frame the conversation around improving their quality of life rather than concentrating on the issue itself. You might say something like “I want to help you get the most out of these family gatherings, and it seems as if you may be having trouble keeping up with conversations”.
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 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. Inform them 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 having their hearing evaluated 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 will have to face alone. 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 improving their overall quality of life and enjoying more experiences together.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the conversation is going well, you might bring up potential solutions including hearing aids. Help them realize that hearing aids are discreet and will better their quality of life by enhancing their ability to participate in conversations and engage in social connections. You can say something like, “There are so many great options now that could help you hear better and make it easier to join in the conversations”.
Families supporting one another is the real spirit of Thanksgiving.
Coming together with loved ones and showing support is the real meaning of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to address a family member’s hearing loss as a meaningful show of support that will help them experience the joy of family gatherings once again. Don’t fail to make the most of this loving and supportive environment to have a sincere discussion 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 unforgettable and enjoyable for everybody involved. By exhibiting care and empathy, you will help them feel less isolated and more included in the moments that matter most.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this worthwhile conversation. This act of love will improve their lives every day not only during the holiday season.
