Communication

Communication is a Two-Way Process

If you have normal hearing and would like to improve the quality of your relationships with people who are hard of hearing, it is important to understand some of the problems and frustrations they regularly experience. Listening can be an exhausting act of concentration for people with hearing loss. Sometimes it means a lot of work, requiring extra attention to everyday sounds and visual information. Environments with background noise are challenging and make communication even more difficult for individuals with hearing loss. You can make it easier for hard of hearing people by understanding that the success of your conversation depends partly on you. By practicing the following conversation tips you will improve communication and reduce some of the strain experienced by hard of hearing listeners.

Points to Remember...

Get their attention Before you begin speaking, say their name or gently touch their arm. This will help them to focus attention and concentrate on your words. Be near them Try to be just over a meter (or within four feet) of the listener so that your voice has adequate volume and is not diminished by background noise. Face them Do not turn or lower your head and keep your mouth uncovered so that your speech volume is not reduced and words are not blurred. Also, try to remain still so that speech-readers can easily see your lips moving. Speak slowly Give listeners time to assimilate what you say, but be sure that you are not speaking so slowly that you might embarrass them or lose their interest. Speak clearly and expressively Enunciate your words carefully; over-emphasizing can distort your facial gestures and lip movements. Do not hesitate, however, to use natural gestures and body language to express yourself. For example, a question will not be mistaken for a statement if you look like you are making an inquiry. Provide clear, concise information In order to understand your message, listeners must know what you are talking about. Organize the who, what, when, where, how and why of your information so that you get to the point and ensure that you will be understood. Rephrase your sentences If you are misunderstood, rephrase your complete sentence rather than repeating the same key words. By keeping your message in context, you can help your listener understand your message more clearly. Be aware of lighting Back-lighting and dim light is distracting and will decrease the visibility of your gestures and lips. be aware of background noise and speak loudly, if necessary Traffic, television, music and competing conversations create obstacles to clear communication. Even with the assistance of hearing aids, it can be difficult for hard of hearing people to distinguish speech from other sounds in the environment.

Communication is a Shared Experience

Communication is the basis of all human interaction. Effective communication requires the patience, effort and attention of all participants. If communication breaks down, relationships break down and become less meaningful. Your effort counts! You can maintain healthy, productive interactions with those who have impaired hearing by employing conversation tips that make communication easier. Remember - communication is a shared experience!