Family Thanksgiving gatherings are a time of storytelling, merriment, and, of course, giving thanks. It’s also a unique occasion to address essential health concerns, including hearing loss, in a supportive and compassionate setting. 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 coping with it and encourage them to find solutions.
Getting ready for a supportive discussion
Creating a welcoming environment for someone with hearing loss can make a big difference during a family gathering. Here are some tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everyone, particularly for individuals who may struggle to hear clearly:
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Seat your loved one near the center of the table where they are more likely to be included in conversations. Avoid placing them at the ends where they may struggle to hear discussions taking place further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Let other family members know that you plan to bring up the subject of hearing loss. This will allow everyone to be ready for the discussion and your loved one with hearing loss won’t feel as though they are being ambushed. It will seem more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the individual with hearing loss, when the entire family is involved.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. It will be easier to have a concentrated discussion with your loved one without the distraction of loud background noise. Think about turning off the TV or other electronic devices that might increase the noise.
Initiating the conversation with compassion
It’s essential to be compassionate when initiating a conversation about a sensitive subject like hearing loss. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather and show support for each other and express gratitude, making it the perfect setting for this conversation. Here’s how to approach the discussion:
- Convey Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to let your loved one know that they mean a lot to you. Discuss how blessed you feel to have them in your life. This lets your loved one know that you care about, and are concerned about their well-being, setting a positive tone from the outset.
- Address the Issue with Empathy: Inform your loved one that it seems as if they may be having a hard time hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Instead of concentrating on the issue itself, talk more about how they can improve their quality of life. You may say something like “I want to help you get the most out of these family gatherings, and it seems as if 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. Encourage your loved one to ask others to speak more slowly or clearly if they’re having trouble understanding. Remind them that it’s fine to ask people to repeat what they said in noisy settings. By implementing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at 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 gently broach the idea of long-term solutions.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If your loved one seems to be receptive 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 take part 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 join in the conversations”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Advocate for your loved one to schedule a hearing test as the next thing they should do. Offer to help set up the appointment or go with them for support. Help them comprehend that a hearing test is an easy, non-invasive way to get a better idea of their .
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they are aware that they won’t need to deal with any of the process alone. From the process of scheduling and going to the appointments to adapting to new hearing aids, assure them that their family is there to help. Reinforce that taking this step is about enhancing their overall quality of life and enjoying more moments together.
Families showing support for one another is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and gratitude for one another. 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 again. Don’t fail to take advantage of this loving and supportive setting to have a sincere discussion about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Encouraging your loved one to take the first step towards improved hearing can make future holidays even more memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved. By exhibiting care and compassion, you will help them feel less separated and more included in the moments that matter most.
Take a little time to initiate this significant discussion this Thanksgiving. This act of love will improve their lives every day not just during the holiday season.
