Family Thanksgiving gatherings are a time of storytelling, laughter, and, of course, giving thanks. It also provides a perfect caring environment to address essential health concerns, including hearing loss. With family members gathered around, this holiday can be a perfect moment to initiate a conversation about hearing difficulties and encourage finding solutions.
Preparing for a supportive conversation
During family get-togethers, it can make a big difference for a family member with hearing loss, if you create a compassionate 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 subject of hearing loss. This will allow everybody to be prepared for the discussion and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel like they are being ambushed. When the whole 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: Your family member will feel more involved in conversations if you seat them near the middle of the table. If you seat them at the end of the table, they will lose out on conversations taking place a little further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Keep music and other background noises at a reduced 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 substantial distractions and it’s a smart plan to turn them off before the discussion.
Delicately broaching the conversation
Bringing up hearing loss can be delicate, and it’s essential to address it with compassion. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather and show support for one another and express gratitude, making it the ideal setting for this conversation. Here’s how to tackle the discussion:
- Express Gratitude and Care: Begin by conveying how much your loved one means to you. Discuss how fortunate you feel to have them in your life. This sets a positive tone and makes it clear that your worries comes from a place of love and care.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest small, helpful short-term changes. Urge your loved one to ask others to speak more slowly or clearly if they’re having difficulty understanding. Remind them that when they are in noisy environments, it’s okay to ask people to repeat what they said. These strategies can help them feel more included and less frustrated during get-togethers.
- Address the Issue with Compassion: Let your loved one know that you’ve noticed they may be having difficulty hearing and that you’re mentioning it because you care about their well-being. Structure the discussion around improving their quality of life instead of focusing on the problem itself. You may say something like “I want to help you get the most from these family gatherings, and it seems like you might be having a hard time following conversations”.
Long-term solution should be discussed
Once your loved one feels supported and knows that the conversation comes from a place of concern, you can gently present the idea of exploring long-term solutions.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Suggest scheduling a hearing exam as the next step. Inform them that you will help them set up the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Talk about the importance of getting their hearing assessed in order to determine the state of their hearing health.
- 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 adapting to new hearing aids, assure them that their family is there to help. Reinforce that taking this step is about improving their general quality of life and enjoying more experiences together.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the conversation is going well, you might 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 interactions. You could say something like, “There are so many excellent options now that could help you hear better and make it easier to be a part of conversations”.
Families supporting each other is the real spirit of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about joining together and showing our love and appreciation for each other. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to tackle a loved one’s hearing loss as a meaningful show of support that will help them experience the joy of family gatherings once more. Don’t miss the chance to have this sincere discussion in an environment where they can feel the full support of their family.
Motivating your loved one to take the first step towards improved hearing can make future holidays even more unforgettable and enjoyable for everybody involved. By showing care and compassion, you will help them feel less isolated and more included in the moments that matter most.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this worthwhile discussion. It’s an act of love that could improve their experience not just during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year.