Communication Tips

Communication breakdowns for people with hearing loss as well as those with whom they interact, affects both the listener and the speaker. Many of these breakdowns can be prevented or lessened if both the speaker and listener follow some guidelines when communicating. Here are some tips.

• Pick the best spot to communicate, avoiding poorly lit and noisy areas.
• Ask the speaker to face you and slow down his rate of speech.
• Provide a reason why the speaker should change his/her communication behavior by informing him/her about your hearing loss.
• Model the communication behavior you desire in others by facing the listener and speaking at a moderate pace.
• Let the speaker know what you understood.
• Reinforce the speaker's helpful communication efforts by providing him/her with feedback.
• Look for visual clues (facial expression, gestures, etc.) as to what is being said.
• Pay attention to the speaker.
• Ask the speaker to write key information.
• Anticipate difficult communication situations and plan ahead to use strategies that will enable you to understand.
• Don't bluff!

• Get the listener's attention before talking.
• Be sure your face can be clearly seen.
• Don't have food or objects in your mouth when speaking.
• Speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
• Use facial expression and gestures to help the listener to understand what you are saying.
• Inform the listener when you are changing the subject.
• Rephrase or reword when you are not understood.
• Don't shout.
• Avoid noisy background situations.
• Talk directly to the person with hearing loss. Don't use another person as an intermediary.
• Try to be patient, positive and relaxed.