Good Communication Habits
Communication is a two-way street. When you know someone who has a hearing loss, there are many things you can do to help communication flow smoothly. By adopting the following good communication habits, you can greatly increase the chance of successful communication, making the conversation more enjoyable for everyone.
1. Get the attention of the hearing impaired person before you start speaking. If they are "ready" to communicate, they are less likely to miss anything.
2. Don't shout. Speak in a clear, projected voice but not too loud. Enunciate clearly but do not overemphasize your words.
3. Don't talk too fast or too slow. Many people with hearing loss understand better when speech is just slightly slower than normal, but not too slow!
4. Make sure your face can be clearly seen. Lighting should be adequate and there should be nothing covering your mouth or face. Many sounds of speech are visible on the lips and can provide important extra clues to the hearing impaired person.
5. Don't talk when the water is running! Background noises can make understanding very difficult. Turn off sources of noise before having a conversation or move to a quieter area, if possible.
6. Don't talk to someone from the next room. Distance from the listener is important. The further away you are, the less chance that you will be heard. Make sure you are in the same room and close enough to be easily heard and seen.
7. Rephrase rather than repeat. When someone asks you to repeat it, it may be more helpful if you rephrase what you said. Sometimes different words will be easier to understand.
8. Be on the lookout for misunderstandings. Ask questions from time to time to make sure that the person has understood what you have said.
9. Relax and be patient. People with hearing loss often feel a great amount of stress as they concentrate to understand every word that is said. A kind facial expression and an accepting attitude can help a hearing impaired person relax and enjoy the conversation.
