Family Thanksgiving get-togethers are a time of storytelling, laughter, and, of course, giving thanks. It also provides a perfect caring environment to tackle essential health concerns, including hearing loss. With family members gathered around, this holiday can serve as a perfect moment to initiate a conversation about hearing troubles and encourage finding solutions.
Getting ready for a supportive conversation
During family get-togethers, it can make a big difference for a family member who has 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 might struggle to hear clearly:
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Be sure you mention your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other family members. This will allow everybody to be ready for the conversation and your family member with hearing loss won’t feel as if they are being ambushed. It will feel more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the individual with hearing loss, when the entire family is involved.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your family member will feel more included in conversations if you sit them near the center of the table. If you sit them at the end of the table, they will miss out on discussions taking place a little further away.
Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. It will be easier to have a concentrated conversation with your family member without the distraction of loud background noise. Electronic devices, like the TV, can present considerable distractions and it’s a good idea to turn them off before the discussion.
Gently broaching the discussion
Bringing up hearing loss can be sensitive, and it’s essential to address it with compassion. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather and show support for each other and express gratitude, making it the ideal setting for this conversation. The following are some tips about how to deal with this discussion:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend 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 noisy environments. By implementing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
- Convey Gratitude and Care: Start by expressing how much your loved one means 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 start.
- Address the Problem with Empathy: Inform your loved one that it seems like they may be having a hard time hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Frame the conversation around improving their quality of life instead of concentrating on the issue itself. For example, you might say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a bit harder for you to keep up with conversations recently, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family gatherings”.
Long-term solution should be discussed
Once your loved one feels supported and recognizes that the conversation comes from a place of concern, you can delicately present the idea of exploring 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 mentioned. Express that modern hearing aids are discreet, reliable, and can significantly improve their ability to take part in conversations and enjoy social activities. 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”.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Emphasize that seeking treatment for hearing loss isn’t something they need to confront alone. From the process of scheduling and going to the appointments to adjusting to new hearing aids, assure 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.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Advocate for your loved one to schedule a hearing test as the next thing they should do. Let them know 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 tested in order to identify the state of their hearing health.
Families supporting one another is the real spirit of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and appreciation for one another. Approaching a family member’s hearing loss during this time can be a meaningful way to offer support and help them reconnect with the joy of family gatherings. Don’t fail to make the most of this loving and supportive environment to have a sincere conversation about your loved one’s hearing loss.
Inspiring your loved one to take the first step towards improved hearing can make future holidays even more memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved. By showing care and compassion, you will help them feel less separated and more included in the moments that matter most.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this important conversation. It’s an act of love that could improve their experience not just during the holiday season, but throughout the whole year.