Tips for Communicating with People who Have Hearing Loss

If you have a loved one who’s hard of hearing, you know how difficult it can be to communicate. Conversations can be a real challenge, and despite how many times you repeat yourself, it seems like there’s always some miscommunication. We know that not being able to understand each other is frustrating for everyone. To get the most out of your conversations and to communicate easily, here are a few tips for how to talk to your loved one with hearing loss.

It might be tempting to shout at your loved one from another room or try to have a conversation from the opposite end of the table, but for clear communication you’ll need to be facing each other. For someone with hearing loss, being able to focus on your face, read your body language, or even read lips is crucial for easy communication. Facing your loved one means you will both are paying attention and engaged in getting the most out of the conversation. Your loved one is straining to hear, so give them your undivided attention, and help them understand you. Get on the same level as your loved one. For example, if they’re sitting, pull up a chair. Talking to them at eye level reduces the chances of miscommunication and creates a better atmosphere for easy conversation.

Another tip is to position yourselves so that your loved one has their back to the light. Your face will be clearly lit, and they won’t have the sun in their eyes.

It’s common to assume that shouting will make it easier for someone with hearing loss to understand us. However, raising your voice distorts speech sounds, amplifies sounds your loved one doesn’t have trouble hearing, and adds an angry tone to the interaction. Rather than yelling, speak clearly and distinctly, but naturally. Don’t speak too slowly, but rather add pauses between sentences or phrases to give your loved one an extra second to process what you’ve said. Make sure they’ve understood before going on. If your loved one doesn’t understand what you’ve said, try rephrasing it in a different way rather than just repeating the same words over again.

One of the biggest barriers to clear communication are the distracting noises that make it hard for someone with hearing loss to concentrate on what you’re saying. If you’re at home, turn off the TV or radio, and close the window to block out traffic sounds and reduce background noise. When out at a restaurant or cafe, pick a quiet corner, or ask to have the music turned down. When you’re at a house party, pick a quiet spot in the room, or even move to another room where there are fewer distracting sounds.

If you need to communicate important information, make sure your loved one understands by having them repeat it back to you. Numbers and times can often sound the same, and you don’t want them to arrive for dinner two hours early. Writing things down is another great way to ensure clear communication and making sure everyone is on the same page. Directions, addresses, and schedules are examples of things that are quick to write down and will avoid countless miscommunications.

If your loved one is struggling to hear, then it’s time to talk about treatment. While these tips will help you communicate, they’ll work even better if your loved one is wearing a hearing aid. Hearing devices of today are small, sophisticated computers that do far more than amplify sounds. They scan your listening environment, reduce background noise, help you focus on speech sounds, amplify the sounds that are missing from your hearing range, and leave you with energy to engage fully in conversations rather than using all your time just trying to piece together the words.

Visit us at HearCare for a hearing assessment and consultation. We’ll find out about your hearing health and lifestyle, and help you pick the device that can fit seamlessly into your life and transform your hearing experiences. You’ll never have to worry about getting lost in conversations or straining to hear.