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How to Communicate With a Person Who Has a Hearing Loss

Always keep in mind that when meeting a person who seems inattentive or slow to understand you, that a hearing loss may be possible, and it may not be that the person has poor manners, is not intelligent, or has a bad personality.

The person with a hearing loss will benefit significantly from the support and sensitivity of family and friends. Remember, the hearing impaired can be just as interesting as those with normal hearing. Just because hearing has been impaired does not mean that they’ve lost their capacity to express themselves intelligently.

Just because someone wears hearing aids does not mean that they should be able to hear normally! You should not expect miracles, any more than they should! It takes time for anyone to adjust to hearing aids. You can help by being patient, understanding, and empathetic. They will appreciate any efforts you make in helping them adjust.

You will find that hearing aids are least helpful at first in those situations where all parties would like them to help the most - crowds, groups, parties, restaurants, etc. However, with patience and time, listening in these situations can also improve. This is why it is especially important to follow a listening schedule.

Normal Hearing are often embarrassed:
Others may be embarrassed because they don’t know what to do. One hardship suffered by hearing-impaired persons is the isolation, real or imagined, that their hearing loss imposes upon them. This is increased by the embarrassment normal hearing people sometimes show when in the presence of the hearing impaired.

Therefore, learn what to expect, and what not to expect in communicating with the hearing impaired. Their success depends upon you as well.
If hearing aids are not worn, speak to the better ear, if one ear is indeed better than the other. If the person you are speaking to has one “good ear,” and does not wear hearing aids, always stand or sit on that side when addressing him/her. Don’t be afraid to ask a person with an obvious hearing loss whether (s)he has a better ear and if so, which one it is. This is even more true in a noisy environment. (S)he will usually be grateful that you care enough to find out. Speak directly into his/her ear, in normal tones.

The following suggestions are recommended whether the person is or is not wearing hearing aids.

  • Communicate at appropriate times. The person should be mentally, physically, and psychologically ready to listen.
  • If you have something to say, say it clearly and distinctly.
  • Complete your thoughts and present them clearly and completely before going on to the next topic.

The tips listed provide your contributions to meaningful communication with the hearing impaired. Even better, use of these tips doesn’t cost anything, and you don’t even need the permission of the hearing impaired when using them.

  • Reduce background noises when carrying on conversations- turn off the radio or TV.
  • Face the hard-of-hearing person directly, and on the same level whenever possible. Speech will be heard more clearly if you face the listener and if you direct your voice toward him/her.
  • Be sure to get the person’s attention before you start speaking. Don’t start to speak abruptly. Attract his/her attention by facing him/her and looking straight into his/her eyes. If necessary, touch his/her hand or shoulder lightly. If you do this first, and you gain his/her full attention, (s)he will understand you much more readily.
  • Talk at a moderate rate. Speaking at a snail’s pace makes understanding more difficult. It’s much more helpful to speak at a slightly slower-than-normal (moderate) rate.
  • Speak distinctly, but without exaggeration. Consonants, especially, should be articulated with care. Mouthing your words makes understanding more difficult. Distinctness does not mean shouting. The single most important way that you can help the hearing impaired to understand is to speak clearly and distinctly.
  • Speak at a normal tone and loudness, without shouting. As the voice is raise, sound becomes distorted and fuzzy. Also, shouting may make you sound angry to the hearing impaired.
  • Keep your voice at about the same volume throughout each sentence. Do not drop the voice level at the end of the sentence. (This does not mean that inflections should not be used; they are helpful for understanding whether the statement was a question, statement, etc.). The listener will hear much better when you project your voice.

Visual communication is very important

  • If you are eating, chewing, smoking, etc., while talking, your speech will be more difficult to understand.
  • See that light is not shining in the eyes of the hard of hearing person. (They are using visual clues also to help them understand.) Speak to them in a good light or have the light shine on you as you speak.
  • When you entertain friends with a hearing loss, put away your candles. Electric light will give them a better chance to join the conversation because they can see you as you talk. Also, restaurants or night clubs with dim lighting may make communication very difficult.
  • Your facial expressions are important clues to meaning. This is important because an affectionate or amused tone of voice alone may be lost on a hearing-impaired person.
  • Body language, and to some degree lip reading, are used by all of us to supplement the sounds of speech; their relative importance increases when hearing is diminished.
  • When in a group that includes a hearing-impaired person, try to carry on your conversation with others in such a way that the hearing impaired can watch your lips. Never take advantage of the loss by carrying on a private conversation in his/her presence in low tones (s)he cannot hear.

ALSO, review the helpful tips and suggestions directed toward the person with the hearing loss as well, because by knowing what the hearing-impaired person should be doing in certain situations, it will better help them achieve their objectives.

Contact Mark Glassman, and the team at Glassman's Hearing Aid Service.





Glassman's Hearing Aid Service
Omaha
3015 N 90th St
Ph. 402-571-1207

Fremont
33 W 6th
Ph. 402-727-7866

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"My wife appreciates my hearing aids as much as I do. She claims it has helped my disposition. I know hearing aids have helped me enjoy my family and friends."

Chris Gutschow, Fremont, NE