5 tips for communicating with those with hearing loss

Successful communication takes two people- the listener and the speaker. And if you’re communicating with someone with hearing loss, communicating clearly can seem more difficult.

However, there are a few things you can do to help communicate so they can hear you more clearly.

Here are 5 tips for communicating with those with hearing loss

1. Face them. Face the hearing-impaired person directly and try to be on the same level as them. Communicate where there is good light shining on your face and not in their eyes so they cannot read your lips.
2. Speak clearly but naturally. It’s ok to speak clearly, slowly and enunciate your words, but remember to try to speak naturally without shouting or exaggerating too much. Shouting distorts the sounds and can actually make hearing harder.
3. Keep it concise. Try not to talk too fast or in sentences or paragraphs that are too long. Slow down a little and pause to give them a chance to understand what you’re saying and acknowledge you.
4. Write down the important information. Whenever you can, write down important pieces of information you are trying to relay such as directions, assignments, meeting times, etc. This will help confirm that they understand their task or commitment.
5. Read their body language. As you’re speaking, pay attention to the body language of the person you’re speaking to. If they look confused or puzzled, they may misunderstand or not hear what you’re saying. It’s ok to ask them if they understand.

Hearing aids can certainly benefit the listener, however following these tips as the speaker will help the person with hearing loss hear you more clearly.

Do you suspect that a loved one or a friend is suffering from hearing loss? Or have you noticed yourself having a hard time hearing others clearly in conversations?

Check out our FREE online hearing eScreener to get an idea of how good your hearing actually is.