The Thanksgiving holiday centers around great food, time with family, and meaningful discussions. If a person you care about copes with hearing loss, they may perceive themselves as isolated at the dinner table, regardless of the loving family present.
A holiday gathering, even though it’s a celebration, provides a gentle and appropriate opportunity to initiate a dialogue about their hearing health.
Why Thanksgiving is a good opportunity for this conversation
It’s around the dinner table that memories are shared, laughter is sparked, and life updates are communicated. Unfortunately, for individuals whose hearing loss is untreated, this setting often proves to be difficult and isolating. When you observe a relative secluding themselves from the discussion, demanding frequent repeats, or mishearing things, Thanksgiving is the right time to voice your concern with empathy and kindness.
A key benefit is that their most trusted people are present, which helps them feel encouraged instead of criticized.
Preparing the atmosphere for simpler communication
Prior to beginning this discussion, making minor adjustments to the setting can greatly enhance your loved one’s comfort and confidence during the holiday celebration.
- Lower background noise. Keep music or the TV volume muted to help minimize auditory distractions.
- When seating, be mindful. Seat your loved one centrally or with the people they speak with best.
- Adequate light is important because it assists someone with hearing loss in interpreting lip movements and facial expressions.
- Tell close family members that you plan to bring up the topic supportively so they are ready to add their 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 tactfully and avoiding discomfort
The key factor for a positive conversation is starting from a position of support, not criticism. Ensure the discussion does not become a directive demanding immediate change. Instead, gently say that you’ve perceived they seem to have difficulty hearing and that you want to help, not criticize.
“I love that we’re all together today, and I want to make sure you can enjoy it fully. I’ve noticed it’s sometimes hard for you to hear everything that’s going on. Have you thought about having your hearing checked?”
Allow them to speak and offer a response. They may feel relief that someone noticed, or they may brush it off. In either situation, do not pressure them. Just offer your support and plan to discuss it again another time if necessary.
What to offer: support and practical suggestions
When your loved one is open to seeking solutions, be ready to offer some helpful, gentle suggestions:
- Discuss hearing evaluations. Let them know that a hearing test is simple and non-invasive.
- Normalize the use of hearing aids by comparing them to glasses, which similarly improve life quality without causing stigma.
- Point out the advantages: improved relationships, reduced stress levels, and a boost in self-assurance are all outcomes of better hearing.
It is not the purpose to solve all the issues during this initial discussion. The purpose is to plant the initial seed of support that can flourish over time.
making thanksgiving a moment for thanks and an opportunity to enhance hearing
Because Thanksgiving is for expressing gratitude for loved ones, it sometimes requires important conversations that can enhance their quality of life. Even if bringing up hearing loss initially causes discomfort, discussing it in a supportive, familiar place can make your loved one feel supported, recognized, and motivated to act.
If someone you care about is experiencing hearing, consider starting the conversation this Thanksgiving. Taking action could lead to a significant difference in their life.