Family Thanksgiving gatherings are a time of storytelling, merriment, and, of course, giving thanks. It also offers a perfect caring environment to address important health concerns, including hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a holiday when family gathers 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 seek solutions.
Organizing a conversation to support your loved one
Developing a welcoming setting for someone with hearing loss can make a huge difference during a family gathering. Here are a few tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everyone, particularly for people who might struggle to hear clearly:
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your family member will feel more involved in conversations if you seat them near the center of the table. Avoid putting them at the ends where they could struggle to hear conversations occurring further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Inform other family members that you plan to talk about the subject of hearing loss. This will allow everyone to be prepared for the conversation and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel as if 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 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 concentrated conversation with your loved one without the distraction of loud background noise. Electronic devices, such as the TV, can present significant distractions and it’s a smart plan to turn them off before the conversation.
Gently broaching the conversation
Bringing up hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s important to approach it with empathy. 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. The following are some guidelines about how to approach this discussion:
- 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 request that people speak more slowly and clearly. Remind them that when they are in loud environments, it’s acceptable to ask people to repeat what they said. By employing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
- Address the Issue with Empathy: Inform your loved one that it seems like they might be having difficulty hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Structure the discussion around improving their quality of life instead of focusing on the problem itself. For example, you may say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a bit more difficult for you to follow with conversations recently, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
- Convey Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to tell your loved one that they mean a lot to you. Mention how thankful you are that they are part of your life. This creates a positive atmosphere and makes it clear that your concern comes from a place of care and love.
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 initiate the idea of long-term solutions.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they understand that they won’t have 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 improving their overall quality of life and enjoying more moments together.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If your loved one seems to be open to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be discussed. Help them understand 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 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”.
- 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. Help them comprehend that a hearing test is a simple, non-invasive way to get a clearer picture of their .
Families supporting each other is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about joining together and showing our love and appreciation 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 joy of family gatherings. Don’t miss the opportunity to have this heartfelt 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 memorable and enjoyable for everybody involved. By showing care and compassion, you will help them feel less isolated and more included in the moments that matter most.
This Thanksgiving, take a moment to have this worthwhile conversation. This act of love will better their lives every day not only during the holiday season.
