Family Thanksgiving gatherings are a time of storytelling, merriment, and, of course, giving thanks. It’s also a great opportunity to address essential health concerns, such as hearing loss, in a supportive and compassionate setting. Thanksgiving is a holiday when family gathers together, making it the perfect time to broach the topic of hearing loss with loved ones who might be coping with it and encourage them to find solutions.
Organizing a discussion to support your loved one
During family get-togethers, it can make a big difference for a loved one with hearing loss, if you cultivate a caring and welcoming vibe. The following are a few suggestions to help everybody feel comfortable, particularly loved ones who are dealing with hearing loss:
- 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 putting them at the ends where they might struggle to hear discussions taking place further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Be sure you mention your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other family members. This way, it won’t feel like an ambush to your loved one, and everyone can be prepared to contribute positively. When the whole family is aware and involved, the discussion is less likely to seem like criticism from a single person and more like a family show of support.
Minimize Background Noise: Keep music and other ambient noises at a lower volume. It will be easier to have a focused discussion with your family member without the distraction of loud background noise. Electronic devices, such as the TV, can present substantial distractions and it’s a good idea to turn them off before the discussion.
Initiating the discussion with compassion
Talking about hearing loss can be delicate, and it’s important to approach it with empathy. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather and show support for each other and express gratitude, making it the ideal setting for this discussion. Here’s how to approach the conversation:
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Recommend small changes that can help in the short term. Urge your loved one to ask others to speak more slowly or clearly if they’re having trouble understanding. Remind them that it’s okay to ask people to repeat themselves in loud settings. By utilizing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at gatherings.
- Express Gratitude and Care: The first thing to do is to let your loved one know that they mean a lot to you. Talk about how thankful you are to have them in your life. This allows your loved one to know that you care about, and are worried about their well-being, creating a positive tone from the outset.
- Address the Problem with Empathy: Inform your loved one that it seems like they might be having difficulty hearing and that you’re concerned for their well-being. Instead of focusing on the issue itself, talk more about how they can improve their quality of life. For instance, you might say, “I’ve noticed it’s been a little more difficult for you to follow with conversations lately, and I want to make sure you can fully enjoy our family 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 delicately initiate the idea of long-term solutions.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Suggest scheduling a hearing test as the next step. Let them know that you will help them set up the appointment and of course, you will be there with them for support. Discuss the importance of getting their hearing assessed 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 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. Maybe you could say something like “Hearing aids will improve your life and help you get greater joy from social interactions, and there are so many options to select from, you will easily find a solution that works for you”.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Point out 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 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 moments together.
The genuine spirit of Thanksgiving: supporting each other
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and appreciation for each other. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to address a family member’s hearing loss as a thoughtful show of support that will help them experience the happiness of family get-togethers once again. Don’t miss the chance to have this heartfelt 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 encouraged your loved one to take this essential first step. Help them feel more included and less separated with your supportive care and empathy.
This Thanksgiving, take a moment to have this significant conversation. This act of love will enhance their lives every day not only during the holiday season.