Typically, Thanksgiving is a gathering of sharing food, family bonds, and talking together. A loved one with hearing loss, even when surrounded by caring family, can often feel disconnected at the table.
While it may not seem like the “right time” to talk about something so personal, a holiday gathering can actually be a subtle, supportive chance to open the door to a discussion about hearing health.
Why Thanksgiving is a perfect time for this conversation
When gathered for dinner, people share personal anecdotes, tell jokes, and give life updates. However, for a person with untreated hearing loss, this atmosphere can quickly become a source of frustration and isolation. 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 making more errors in hearing.
The positive aspect is that their most trusted people are present, which helps them feel encouraged instead of criticized.
Preparing the atmosphere for easier communication
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.
- Be mindful of where you place them. Put your loved one near the table’s center or close to family members they easily converse with.
- Having good lighting 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.
Such simple steps can ease both the practical challenges of communication and the emotional difficulty of discussing health concerns.
How to approach the topic without causing discomfort
For a successful discussion, approach the topic with care rather than a desire to correct or fix. Ensure the discussion does not become a directive demanding immediate change. Instead, kindly convey that you’ve noticed they are struggling to hear and your motivation is support, not criticism.
“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 they could ignore the comment. Whatever their answer, avoid pushing the matter. Offer your support and only bring up the topic again if the need arises.
What to provide: encouragement and practical suggestions
If your loved one is willing to consider the idea of exploring solutions, be ready with a few helpful, non-intimidating suggestions:
- Discuss hearing evaluations, clarifying that a hearing test is an easy and non-invasive procedure.
- Make normal the conversation. Compare hearing aids to using glasses—both improve life quality without stigma.
- Offer to attend the appointment with them. This feeling they have company can make the most significant difference.
- Better hearing can lead to better relationships, decreased stress, and enhanced confidence, so be sure to emphasize these benefits.
You shouldn’t aim to resolve the entire situation in a single talk. Rather, aim to plant a seed of support that has the potential to grow.
Thanksgiving: A time for thanks and a move to better hearing
Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for the people we love, and sometimes that means having significant conversations that lead to a higher life quality. Bringing up hearing loss may feel uncomfortable at first, but doing so in a warm, familiar setting can help your loved one feel seen, supported, and ready to take the next step.
This Thanksgiving, if a person you care for is facing hearing difficulties, think about starting the discussion. It might just lead to a significant difference.