Family Thanksgiving get-togethers are a time of storytelling, laughter, and, of course, giving thanks. It also provides a perfect caring atmosphere to tackle essential health concerns, and this includes hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a holiday when family gathers together, making it the ideal time to broach the topic of hearing loss with loved ones who may be dealing with it and encourage them to seek solutions.
Planning a conversation to support your loved one
During family gatherings, it can make a big difference for a loved one with hearing loss, if you cultivate a caring and welcoming vibe. Here are some tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everyone, particularly for those who may struggle to hear clearly:
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Let other family members know that you plan to talk about the subject of hearing loss. This way, it won’t seem like an ambush to your loved one, and everybody can be ready to contribute in a positive way. When the entire family is aware and engaged, the discussion is less likely to feel like criticism from one person and more like a collective show of support.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Position your loved one near the middle of the table where they are more likely to be involved in conversations. Avoid putting them at the ends where they could struggle to hear conversations occurring further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. This decreases distractions and makes it much easier for your family member to pay attention to the conversation. Electronic devices, like the TV, can present considerable distractions and it’s a good idea to turn them off before the conversation.
Delicately broaching the conversation
Mentioning hearing loss can be delicate, and it’s essential to approach it with compassion. Thanksgiving offers a perfect setting to have this talk because it’s a time when families give thanks and show support for one another. Here’s how to approach the discussion:
- Convey Gratitude and Care: Begin by conveying how much your loved one means to you. Talk about how blessed you feel to have them as a part of your life. This allows your loved one to know that you care about, and are concerned about their well-being, creating a positive tone from the start.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest small, helpful short-term changes. Encourage your loved one to ask others to talk more slowly or clearly if they’re having difficulty understanding. Remind them that it’s okay to ask people to repeat what they said in loud environments. By employing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at gatherings.
- Address the Problem with Empathy: Inform your loved one that it seems like they may be having trouble hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Structure the discussion around improving their quality of life instead of targeting the problem itself. For instance, you might say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a bit more difficult for you to follow with conversations lately, and I want to make sure you can really enjoy our family gatherings”.
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 delicately initiate the idea of long-term solutions.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the discussion is going well, you might talk about potential solutions like hearing aids. Express that modern hearing aids are discreet, reliable, and can substantially better 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 connections, and there are so many options to select from, you will easily find a solution that works for you”.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they know that they won’t need to go through any of the process alone. Let them know that the family is there to support them through the entire process, from scheduling appointments to adjusting to new hearing aids if necessary. Reinforce that taking this step is about enhancing their general quality of life and enjoying more moments together.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Suggest scheduling a hearing test as the next step. Offer to help set up the appointment or go with them for support. Talk about the importance of having their hearing assessed in order to identify the state of their hearing health.
Families supporting one another is the real spirit of Thanksgiving.
Getting together with loved ones and showing support is the real spirit of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to address a loved one’s hearing loss as a meaningful show of support that will help them find the joy of family get-togethers once more. Don’t miss the opportunity 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 enjoyable and unforgettable after you have successfully inspired your loved one to take this significant first step. 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 moment to have this significant conversation. This act of love will better their lives every day not only during the holiday season.