Remember, even when people are aware you have a hearing loss they will forget, as hearing loss is an invisible problem. Some gentle reminding helps.
For more information and training about communication strategies, contact the staff at the Hearing Association (Auckland) Inc.
The following strategies assist a person with hearing loss to:
• Understand speech
and conversation more effectively
• Improve their sense of personal safety and security
1. USE YOUR HEARING
AS WELL AS YOU CAN
• Listen carefully
• Use amplification such as hearing aids or other appropriate listening
devices
• Position yourself near the speaker or the source of the sound
• Make sure your better ear (if you have one) is closer to the speaker
or the sound
• Choose a quiet area. Avoid or reduce the background noise where possible
• Avoid areas where echo and reverberation are evident
2. USE YOUR VISION
TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LACK OF HEARING
• Have your vision tested
• Use glasses or take other action if this is recommended
• Use lip reading or speech reading
• Watch the speaker carefully for facial expression, gesture and body
language. These visual clues all help you understand the speaker as a
lot of our communication is non-verbal
• Use print and captions
• When watching the person speak avoid looking into the light or glare
• Position yourself to your best advantage
• Manage your environment effectively
3. USE TECHNOLOGY
TO SUPPORT RESIDUAL HEARING
• Use amplification, hearing aids or personal listening devices
• Consider a cochlear implant as a hearing solution when hearing aids
are no longer effective
• Use an amplified telephone for increasing the volume of the ring and
incoming voice
• Use a TTY (teletypewriter/text phone) and the National Relay Service
(NRS) if using a standard telephone is no longer possible
• Use captioned TV
• Use other technology for alerting you to the doorbell or smoke alarm
4. USE AND EDUCATE
OTHER PEOPLE
It helps communication partners to know about your hearing loss and to
tell them what they can do to make communication more successful.
Some suggestions may be:
“Get my attention
before you start to speak to me”
“Come closer”
“Face me I don’t look down / don’t cover your face”
“Speak a little slower”
“Speak a little louder but no need to shout”
“Speak more clearly”
Remember, even when people are aware you have a hearing loss they will forget, as hearing loss is an invisible problem. Some gentle reminding helps.
For more information and training about communication strategies, contact the staff at the Hearing Association (Auckland) Inc.