Family Thanksgiving get-togethers are a time of storytelling, laughter, and, of course, giving thanks. It’s also a unique opportunity to address important health concerns, including 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 might be coping with it and encourage them to seek solutions.
Preparing for a supportive conversation
During family get-togethers, it can make a big difference for a loved one who has hearing loss, if you cultivate a caring and welcoming vibe. The following are some suggestions to help everybody feel comfortable, especially loved ones who are coping with hearing loss:
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Make sure you discuss your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other members of the family. This will allow everyone to be ready for the conversation and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel as if they are being ambushed. It will seem more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the individual with hearing loss, when the whole family is involved.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your family member will feel more included in conversations if you seat them near the center of the table. If you sit them at the end of the table, they will lose out on discussions taking place a little further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a reduced volume. This reduces distractions and makes it easier for your family member to pay attention to the conversation. Think about turning off the TV or other electronic devices that may increase the noise.
Gently broaching the discussion
It’s important to be thoughtful when beginning a conversation about a sensitive topic like hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a time when families get together and show support for each other and express gratitude, making it the perfect setting for this conversation. Here’s how to tackle the discussion:
- Express Gratitude and Care: Start by articulating how much your loved one means to you. Describe how thankful you are that they are part of your life. This sets a positive tone and makes it clear that your worries comes from a place of love and care.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend small, helpful short-term changes. 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 what they said in noisy environments. These strategies can help them feel more included and less frustrated during get-togethers.
- Address the Issue with Empathy: Inform your loved one that you’ve noticed they may be having trouble 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 might be having a hard time keeping up with conversations”.
Discussing long-term solutions
Once your loved one feels supported and knows that the conversation comes from a place of concern, you can delicately present the idea of exploring long-term solutions.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Encourage scheduling a hearing exam as the next step. Offer to help establish the appointment or go with them for support. Talk about the importance of having their hearing evaluated in order to determine the state of their hearing health.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the discussion is going well, you might talk about potential solutions like hearing aids. Help them realize that hearing aids are discreet and will better their quality of life by improving their ability to participate in conversations and engage in social interactions. You could say something like, “There are so many great options now that could help you hear better and make it easier to be a part of conversations”.
- 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 comfort them through the whole process, from scheduling appointments to adapting to new hearing aids if needed. Help them comprehend that they will be able to better enjoy precious moments with loved ones and an overall enhanced quality of life by taking this step.
The genuine spirit of Thanksgiving: supporting each other
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and gratitude for one another. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to address a loved one’s hearing loss as a meaningful show of support that will help them find the joy of family gatherings once again. Don’t miss the chance to have this sincere discussion in an environment 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 encouraged your loved one to take this important first step. Help them feel more included and less isolated with your encouraging care and compassion.
This Thanksgiving, take a moment to have this important discussion. It’s an act of love that could transform their experience not just during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year.
