Family Thanksgiving get-togethers are a time of storytelling, merriment, and, of course, giving thanks. It also provides a perfect caring atmosphere to address essential health concerns, and this includes 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
During family get-togethers, it can make a big difference for a loved one who has hearing loss, if you create a caring and welcoming vibe. Here are some tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everybody, particularly for people who might struggle to hear clearly:
- 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 ready for the conversation and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel as though they are being ambushed. When the whole family is aware and engaged, the discussion is less likely to feel like criticism from a single person and more like a family show of support.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your loved one will feel more involved in conversations if you sit them near the center of the table. Steer clear of seating them at the ends where they might struggle to hear discussions taking place further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Keep music and other background noises at a low volume. This decreases distractions and makes it easier for your family member to focus on the conversation. Consider turning off the TV or other electronic devices that may add to the noise.
Delicately broaching the conversation
Mentioning hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s important to address it with compassion. Thanksgiving is a time when families get together and show support for one another and express gratitude, making it the perfect setting for this discussion. The following are some tips about how to deal with this conversation:
- Convey Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to tell your loved one that they mean a lot to you. Talk about how thankful you are 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 outset.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest simple 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 ask that people speak more slowly and clearly. Remind them that it’s fine to ask people to repeat themselves in noisy environments. By utilizing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at gatherings.
- Address the Problem 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. Instead of concentrating on the issue itself, talk more about how they can enhance their quality of life. You may say something like “I want to help you get the most out of these family get-togethers, and it seems as if you may be having a hard time 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 initiate the idea of long-term solutions.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If your loved one seems to be open to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be mentioned. Express that modern hearing aids are discreet, effective, and can significantly improve their ability to take part in conversations and enjoy social activities. Maybe you could say something like “Hearing aids will improve your life and help you get more joy from social interactions, and there are so many options to select from, you will easily find a solution that works for you”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Advocate for your loved one to schedule a hearing test as the next thing they should do. Offer to help establish the appointment or go with them for support. Discuss the importance of having their hearing evaluated in order to identify the state of their hearing health.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they know that they won’t need to deal with any of the process by themselves. Let them know that the family is there to support them through the whole process, from making appointments to adjusting to new hearing aids if needed. Reinforce that taking this step is about improving their general quality of life and enjoying more experiences together.
Families showing support for one another is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Getting together with loved ones and offering support is the real spirit of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to address a loved one’s hearing loss as a thoughtful show of support that will help them find the joy of family gatherings once more. Don’t miss the opportunity to have this heartfelt discussion in an environment where they can feel the full support of their family.
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. Help them feel more included and less isolated with your encouraging care and empathy.
Take a little time to begin this important discussion this Thanksgiving. This act of love will better their lives every day not just during the holiday season.