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Communication Tips | Protecting Your Hearing


Tips for Communicating with a Hearing Impaired Person

  1. Get the person's attention before you speak.

  2. Face the person directly on the same level whenever possible.

  3. See that the light is shining on your face, not in the eyes of the person with impaired hearing.

  4. Do not talk from another room; if you must, make sure the person has heard you call him and tell him what room you are in.

  5. Do not shout. Words spoken a bit more slowly are clearer than those that are shouted.

  6. Keep your hands away from your face while talking.

  7. If you are eating, chewing or smoking while talking, your speech will be more difficult to understand.

  8. Whenever possible, minimize background noise. Anticipate and avoid high noise areas. For example, avoid sitting next to the kitchen or cash register in a busy restaurant. Tables around the edge of a restaurant tend to be quieter than those in the center of the room and sitting in a booth is generally quieter than a table.

  9. If the person has difficulty understanding some particular phrase of word, try to find a different way to say the same thing.

  10. Avoid talking too rapidly or using sentences that are too complex and long. Slow down a bit; pause between sentences or phrases; wait to make sure you have been understood before going on.

  11. If you are giving specific information, such as time or place, be sure the person with impaired hearing repeats it back to you. Many numbers and words sound and look alike

  12. Avoid sudden changes of topics and if possible give clues when changing the subject. If the topic changes tell the person with impaired hearing, "we are talking about __________ now."

  13. Don't drop your voice at the end of sentences.

  14. Be patient, positive, and relaxed. When in doubt, ask the hearing impaired person for suggestions to improve communication.

Communication Tips for a Hearing Impaired Person

  1. Pick the best location to communicate by avoiding areas that are poorly lit and are very noisy.

  2. Anticipate difficult situations and plan how to minimize problems.

  3. Tell others how best to talk to you.

  4. Pay attention to speaker.

  5. Look for visual clues to what is being said.

  6. Ask for written clues for key words if needed.

  7. Provide feedback if you understand or fail to understand.

  8. Do not bluff.

  9. Arrange for frequent breaks if discussion or meetings are long.

  10. Provide feedback to the speaker by saying how well he or she is doing.

  11. Try not to interrupt too often.

  12. Set realistic goals about what you can expect to understand.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call.
Tony Milliano, Au.D., FAAA
Doctor of Audiology

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