Thanksgiving is a treasured time for family get-togethers, filled with laughter, stories, and sentiments of gratitude. It’s also a good opportunity to address important health concerns, including hearing loss, in a supportive and compassionate setting. 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 find solutions.
Getting ready for a supportive discussion
During family get-togethers, it can make a big difference for a family member 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 those who might struggle to hear clearly:
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Inform other family members that you plan to bring up the topic of hearing loss. This way, it won’t seem like an ambush to your loved one, and everybody can be ready to make contributions positively. It will seem more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the person with hearing loss, when the entire family is involved.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your family member will feel more involved in conversations if you seat them near the center of the table. Steer clear of placing them at the ends where they could struggle to hear conversations taking place further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Keep music and other ambient noises at a lower volume. This decreases distractions and makes it easier for your loved one to pay attention to the conversation. Consider turning off the TV or other electronic devices that might increase the noise.
Gently broaching the conversation
Bringing up hearing loss can be delicate, and it’s important to address it with empathy. Thanksgiving is a time when families get together and show support for each other and give thanks, making it the ideal setting for this discussion. Here’s how to tackle the conversation:
- Address the Problem with Compassion: Inform your loved one that it seems like they may be having trouble hearing and that you’re concerned for 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 like you may be having difficulty keeping up with conversations”.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend 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 when they are in loud environments, it’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves. By implementing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
- Express Gratitude and Care: Begin by conveying how much your loved one means to you. Talk about how lucky 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, setting a positive tone from the beginning.
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.
- 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. Discuss the importance of having their hearing tested in order to determine the state of their hearing health.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the discussion is going well, you could bring up potential solutions including hearing aids. Help them realize that hearing aids are discreet and will better their quality of life by improving their ability to take part in conversations and engage in social connections. Maybe you could say something like “Hearing aids will improve your life and help you get greater 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: Emphasize that seeking treatment for hearing loss isn’t something they will have to face alone. 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 realize 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
Coming together with loved ones and showing support is the real spirit of Thanksgiving. 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 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 memorable after you have successfully inspired your loved one to take this significant first step. Help them feel more included and less separated with your supportive care and empathy.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this significant discussion. It’s an act of love that could transform their experience not just during the holiday season, but throughout the whole year.