Thanksgiving is a treasured time for family get-togethers, filled with merriment, stories, and sentiments of gratitude. It also offers a perfect caring environment to address important health concerns, including hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a holiday when family members get together, making it the perfect time to broach the topic of hearing loss with loved ones who may be coping with it and encourage them to seek solutions.
Preparing for a supportive conversation
During family gatherings, it can make a big difference for a family member who has hearing loss, if you create a caring and welcoming vibe. The following are a few suggestions to help everybody feel comfortable, especially family members who are coping with hearing loss:
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Seat your loved one near the middle of the table where they are more likely to be included in conversations. Avoid putting them at the ends where they could struggle to hear conversations occurring further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Let other family members know that you plan to bring up the subject of hearing loss. This way, it won’t feel like an ambush to your loved one, and everybody can be prepared to make contributions in a positive way. When the whole family is aware and involved, the discussion is less likely to seem like criticism from one person and more like a collective show of support.
Minimize Background Noise: Keep music and other background noises at a lower volume. It will be easier to have a focused conversation with your family member without the distraction of loud background noise. Electronic devices, like the TV, can present significant distractions and it’s a smart plan to turn them off before the conversation.
Delicately broaching the discussion
Bringing up hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s essential to address it with compassion. Thanksgiving offers a perfect setting to have this conversation because it’s a time when families give thanks and show support for each other. The following are some tips about how to deal with this 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 ask that people speak more slowly and clearly. Remind them that when they are in loud settings, it’s acceptable to ask people to repeat what they said. By utilizing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
- Express Gratitude and Care: Begin by expressing how much your loved one means to you. Talk about how lucky you feel to have them in your life. This allows your loved one to know that you care about, and are worried about their well-being, setting a positive tone from the outset.
- Address the Problem with Empathy: Inform your loved one that you’ve noticed they might be having difficulty hearing and that you’re bringing it up because you care about their well-being. Instead of concentrating on the problem itself, talk more about how they can enhance their quality of life. For example, you may say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a little harder for you to follow with conversations recently, and I want to make sure you can really enjoy our family gatherings”.
Long-term solution should be discussed
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.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they are aware that they won’t need to go through any of the process by themselves. From the process of scheduling and going to the appointments to adjusting to new hearing aids, reassure them that their family is there to help. Help them understand that they will be able to better enjoy cherished moments with loved ones and an overall enhanced quality of life by taking this step.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Suggest scheduling a hearing exam as the next step. Inform them that you will help them schedule the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Help them understand that a hearing test is an easy, non-invasive way to get a clearer picture of their .
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If your loved one seems to be open to the conversation, solutions like hearing aids can be discussed. Express that modern hearing aids are discreet, reliable, and can significantly better their ability to take part in conversations and enjoy social events. 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”.
Families supporting each other is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about joining together and showing our love and gratitude for each other. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to address a family member’s hearing loss as a meaningful show of support that will help them experience the happiness of family get-togethers once more. Don’t miss the chance to have this heartfelt conversation in a setting 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 inspired your loved one to take this significant first step. By showing care and compassion, you will help them feel less isolated and more included in the moments that matter most.
Take a little time to begin this important discussion this Thanksgiving. This act of love will improve their lives every day not only during the holiday season.