How to improve communication with a hearing-impaired person
Hearing loss normally appears gradually. The decrease is so gradual that it can be difficult to detect in the early stages. Communication difficulties can create great tension in couples or families. If a loved one is suffering from hearing loss, here are some tips to ease communication.
Reduce ambient noise
- Turn off devices that are not being used (TV, radio, etc.)
- Move away from noisy sources (windows, ventilation, noisy places, etc.)
Improve clarity of message
- To facilitate understanding, a visual contact must be possible between an individual who is hard of hearing and the interlocutor. Avoid talking to each other from one end to another in the house.
- Avoid yelling: the sound signal is distorted and loses its clarity. Proper articulation, volume, and speed are preferable.
- If a hearing-impaired person does not understand, use different words rather than repeating the same.
- Get the attention of a hard of hearing person before you start talking to him or her.
Respect the hearing-impaired person
- An individual who is hard of hearing does not ask others to repeat on purpose. The person doesn’t pretend not to hear and doesn’t have “selective hearing”. They live with a hearing impairment on a daily basis.
- Support the person in their difficulties and in the wearing of hearing aids. Accepting hearing loss and learning to live with hearing aids can be challenging. A present, understanding and encouraging entourage plays an important role in successful communication.