Thanksgiving is a treasured time for family get-togethers, filled with laughter, stories, and sentiments of gratitude. It also provides a perfect caring atmosphere to tackle important health concerns, including hearing loss. With family members gathered around, this holiday can serve as a perfect time to initiate a conversation about hearing troubles and encourage seeking solutions.
Planning a conversation to support your loved one
During family get-togethers, it can make a big difference for a loved one with hearing loss, if you create a caring and welcoming vibe. Here are some tips to ensure your home is comfortable for everybody, particularly for people who may struggle to hear clearly:
- Minimize Background Noise: Try to keep background noise, including music, at a lower volume. It will be easier to have a focused conversation with your family member without the distraction of loud background noise. Think about turning off the TV or other electronic devices that might increase the noise.
- Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Your family member will feel more involved in conversations if you sit them near the middle of the table. Steer clear of placing them at the ends where they may struggle to hear conversations taking place further away.
- Notify Family Members in Advance: Be sure you discuss your plan to talk about hearing loss with your other members of the family. This way, it won’t seem like an ambush to your loved one, and everybody can be prepared to contribute in a positive way. It will seem more like a family support system and less like criticism, for the person with hearing loss, when the whole family is involved.
Gently broaching the discussion
It’s essential to be thoughtful when beginning a conversation about a sensitive topic like hearing loss. Thanksgiving provides an ideal setting to have this conversation because it’s a time when families express gratitude and show support for each other. Here’s how to approach the discussion:
- Convey Gratitude and Care: Start by expressing how much your loved one means to you. Mention 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 start.
- Offer Immediate Tips for Better Communication: Suggest 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 difficulty understanding. Remind them that it’s fine to ask people to repeat themselves in loud environments. By employing these guidelines, your loved one will feel less frustrated and more included at get-togethers.
- Address the Problem with Compassion: 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. You may say something like “I want to help you get the most out of these family gatherings, and it seems as if you might be having trouble following conversations”.
Discussing long-term solutions
Once your loved one feels supported and knows that the conversation comes from a place of concern, you can delicately present the concept of exploring long-term solutions.
- Introduce the Idea of Hearing Aids: If the conversation is going well, you could bring up potential solutions like hearing aids. Express that modern hearing aids are discreet, effective, and can substantially improve their ability to engage in conversations and enjoy social activities. You could say something like, “There are so many great options now that could help you hear better and make it easier to be a part of conversations”.
- Propose a Hearing Test: Advocate for your loved one to schedule a hearing exam as the next thing they should do. Offer to help set up the appointment or go with them for support. Talk about the importance of having their hearing assessed in order to identify the state of their hearing health.
- Reassure Ongoing Family Support: Make sure they are aware that they won’t have to deal with any of the process by themselves. Let them know that the family is there to support them through the entire process, from making appointments to adjusting to new hearing aids if necessary. Reinforce that taking this step is about enhancing their overall quality of life and enjoying more experiences together.
Families supporting each other is the real spirit of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is about coming together and showing our love and gratitude for one another. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to tackle a loved one’s hearing loss as a thoughtful show of support that will help them experience the happiness of family get-togethers once again. 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.
Future holiday get-togethers will be that much more pleasant and memorable after you have successfully inspired your loved one to take this important first step. By exhibiting care and empathy, you will help them feel less separated and more included in the moments that matter most.
This Thanksgiving, take a minute to have this worthwhile discussion. This act of love will better their lives every day not just during the holiday season.