At its core, Thanksgiving revolves around shared meals, family members, and talking. But when a loved one is experiencing hearing loss, they might feel isolated at the mealtime gathering, even surrounded by people who care.
While one might hesitate, a holiday setting is often an ideal, supportive time to begin a sensitive conversation about hearing health.
The Rationale Behind Choosing Thanksgiving for a Hearing Health Chat
At the dinner table family members share narratives, tell humorous anecdotes, and catch up on news. However, for a person with untreated hearing loss, this atmosphere can quickly become a source of frustration and isolation. When you observe a relative withdrawing from the discussion, often requesting repetition, or not hearing correctly, Thanksgiving can be the right time to voice your concern with empathy and kindness.
Because those they trust most are present, the individual is more likely to feel a sense of encouragement and less like they are being corrected.
Preparing the setting for easier communication
Before beginning this discussion, making minor adjustments to the setting can greatly enhance your loved one’s comfort and confidence during the holiday event.
- Reduce background noise. Keep background noise to a minimum; this means keeping the TV or music volume low.
- Give careful thought to seating arrangements. Position the loved one centrally or beside those they find easiest to talk with.
- Adequate light is important because it assists someone with hearing loss in interpreting lip movements and facial expressions.
- Tell close family relatives that you plan to mention the topic supportively so they are ready to give empathy and support.
Applying these straightforward adjustments will ease communication barriers and help reduce the emotional pressure of talking about health.
A guide to raising the topic sensitively and avoiding discomfort
The key factor for a positive conversation is originating from a position of support, not criticism. Try not to make the talk sound like a demand for immediate action or correction. Gently state that you’ve noticed their hearing difficulties and offer help, emphasizing that you are not criticizing.
“I’m so glad we’re all here, and I truly want you to be able to enjoy the day without stress. I’ve seen that you are having some difficulty hearing the conversation. Have you thought about checking your hearing recently?”
Let them talk. Give them time to respond. They might feel relieved that you noticed, or it’s possible they will ignore the comment. In either situation, do not pressure them. Offer your support and bring it up again if needed.
Providing support and information for the next stage
When your loved one is open to seeking solutions, be ready to offer some helpful, gentle suggestions:
- Bring up hearing tests. Tell them that an evaluation is a simple, non-invasive process.
- Make the topic seem normal of hearing aids by comparing them to glasses, which similarly improve life quality without causing stigma.
- Focus on the benefits. Better hearing can improve relationships, lower stress, and boost confidence.
It is not the purpose to solve all the issues during this initial discussion. Instead, aim to plant a seed of support that has the potential to grow.
A holiday of gratitude, and a step toward better hearing
It’s a time to be grateful for the people we love during Thanksgiving, and occasionally that means engaging in important conversations that can result in a better quality of life. Raising hearing loss may be awkward at first, but in a familiar and supportive setting, it can help your loved one feel recognized, supported, and prepared to move forward.
Take this Thanksgiving as the moment to start the conversation if you have a loved one dealing with hearing issues. It might just lead to a significant difference.