At its core, Thanksgiving revolves around eating together, family members, and engaging in conversation. Yet, if a loved one suffers from hearing loss, they may feel removed at the dinner table, even though they are surrounded by caring people.
Even though it might seem inappropriate to bring up such a personal topic, a holiday event can offer a gentle and supportive chance to start a discussion regarding hearing health.
The Reasons Thanksgiving Provides a Appropriate Time for This Discussion
It’s around the dinner table that memories are shared, laughter is heard, and life updates are communicated. But for someone with untreated hearing loss, this situation can be irritating and alienating. Thanksgiving is an ideal time to gently voice your concerns and offer support if you’ve seen a loved one shying away from conversation, often asking others to repeat themselves, or misinterpreting what is said.
It’s helpful because their most trusted family members are nearby, creating a feeling of support rather than accusation.
How to optimize the environment to enable easier speaking
Making a few simple environmental changes before the conversation can vastly improve your loved one’s confidence and comfort during the gathering.
- Minimize background noise. Keep auditory distractions 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.
- Well-lit spaces help those with hearing loss to follow expressions and lip movements more easily.
- Discreetly communicate your intentions to close family, letting them know you want to discuss the topic supportively, ensuring they can offer empathetic backup.
Making these simple changes helps reduce communication difficulties and lessens any emotional stress connected to discussing health.
A guide to addressing the topic sensitively and avoiding discomfort
To ensure a positive outcome, approach the topic with care rather than a desire to correct or fix. Do not make the talk sound like a demand for immediate action or correction. Alternatively, kindly convey that you’ve noticed they are struggling to hear and your motivation is support, not criticism.
“I appreciate us spending time together, and my hope is that you can fully participate. It seems like you have trouble catching everything sometimes. Have you considered scheduling a hearing evaluation?”
Allow them to speak and offer a response. They might feel relieved that you noticed, or it’s possible they will ignore the comment. Whatever their answer, avoid pushing the matter. Provide your support, and if the time is right, bring it up later.
What to provide: support and practical suggestions
When your loved one is open to seeking solutions, be ready to offer some helpful, gentle suggestions:
- Talk about hearing tests. Tell them that an evaluation is a simple, non-invasive process.
- Make normal the conversation. Compare hearing aids to wearing glasses—both improve life quality without stigma.
- Offer to go with them. Sometimes, knowing they’re not alone makes the most impact.
- Better hearing can lead to better relationships, decreased stress, and enhanced confidence, so be sure to emphasize these benefits.
The goal isn’t to solve everything in one conversation. The purpose is to plant the initial seed of support that can flourish over time.
Thanksgiving: A time for thanks and a move to improved hearing
Thanksgiving time is centered on being grateful for our loved ones, and this sometimes involves having necessary discussions that ultimately improve their lives. Bringing up hearing loss may feel uncomfortable at first, but doing so in a warm, familiar setting can help your loved one feel recognized, supported, and ready to act.
If someone you care about is dealing with hearing, consider starting the conversation this Thanksgiving. The result could be a truly life-changing difference.