Communication Tips

Communication with a significantly hearing impaired listener is not easy for either party, but is worth the effort! Try these tips:

Listener:
·    Turn off or pause the competing sound if you can - TV, car radio, kitchen fan.

·    Ask the speaker to speak more slowly.

·    Face the speaker, and watch their lips and gestures.

·    "Tune in" to the tone of their voice, and try to separate it from other sounds..

·    Nod when you heard, and ask for clarification when you didn't. Bluffing doesn't help, and you may end up committing to or admitting to something you didn't want to!

Speaker:

·    Speak slowly and enunciate well.

·    Make sure you have their attention before speaking.

·    Keep your lips visible - don't cover them with hands, cups, or fill them with food.

·    Light on your face helps.

·    Pause and wait till the dish stops clattering, and chair stops scraping, before beginning another thought.

·    When you repeat, try to think of different words to say the same thing - they may be heard better than the first ones.

Watch to see if your communication partner is tiring, and let them rest for a while - but come back later. Your time and effort will help prevent isolation, and depression.