Typically, Thanksgiving is a gathering of sharing food, family bonds, and talking together. When someone you care about copes with hearing loss, they may perceive themselves as isolated at the dinner table, even with the loving family present.
A holiday gathering, even though it’s a celebration, provides a perfectly supportive space to initiate a dialogue about one’s hearing health.
Why This Holiday Serves As an Opportune Time to Broach the Topic
The dinner table is where stories are shared, jokes are made, and news is shared. Regrettably, for individuals whose hearing loss is untreated, this setting often proves to be difficult and isolating. When you notice a relative withdrawing from the discussion, demanding frequent repeats, or mishearing things, Thanksgiving is the right time to voice your concern with empathy and kindness.
The benefit? The people they trust most are on hand, making it easier for them to feel supported rather than criticized.
Preparing the environment 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.
- Reduce background noise. Keep songs or the TV volume muted to help cut down on auditory distractions.
- When seating, think carefully. Seat your loved one centrally or with the people they interact with best.
- Well-lit spaces help those with hearing loss to follow expressions and lip movements more easily.
- Share your intentions. Quietly let close family members understand you’d like to bring up the topic in a supportive way so they can offer aid with empathy.
These simple adjustments help ease both communication challenges and any emotional tension that may come with discussing health topics.
A guide to raising the topic gently and avoiding discomfort
The key factor for a positive conversation is starting from a position of support, not criticism. Avoid turning the conversation into a “you need to fix this” moment. Instead, gently say that you’ve observed they seem to have trouble hearing and that you want to help, not criticize.
“It’s wonderful that we are together today, and I hope you are enjoying every moment. I’ve noticed you struggle to hear at times. Has getting your hearing tested crossed your mind?”
Provide space to talk and share their thoughts. Your loved one might express relief that the issue was addressed, or they might reject the idea outright. Whatever their answer, avoid pushing the matter. Provide your support, and if the time is right, bring it up later.
What to offer: encouragement and practical suggestions
If your loved one is open to the idea of exploring solutions, be ready with a few supportive, non-intimidating recommendations:
- Bring up hearing tests. Inform them that an evaluation is a simple, non-invasive process.
- Validate the conversation. Compare hearing aids to wearing glasses—both improve well-being without stigma.
- Offer to go with them. Sometimes, knowing they’re not alone makes the biggest difference.
- Focus on the benefits; improved hearing often leads to stronger relationships, less stress, and increased confidence.
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 mature over time.
How this holiday of gratitude can be a step towards healthier hearing
The holiday of Thanksgiving is for expressing gratitude for loved ones, it sometimes calls for important conversations that can enhance their quality of life. 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 move forward.
Take this Thanksgiving as the moment to start the conversation if you have a loved one dealing with hearing issues. It may be a life-changing improvement.