Communication Strategies for use with Individuals with Hearing Loss
Optimizing Hearing:
- Speak slowly and clearly
- Speak slightly louder than normal; do not shout
- Keep sentences short and simple
- Paraphrase sentences you have to repeat
- Eliminate or reduce background noise or music where possible
- In groups, have only one speaker at a time
Use of Visual Cues:
- Face the person to whom you are speaking
- Ensure that the room is well-lit and your face is clearly visible to facilitate speech reading.
- While speaking, keep hands and other objects away from your face Write key words if necessary
Some other things that help:
- Attract the person’s attention before speaking
- Provide context: Inform the listener of the topic of conversation and let them know when the topic has changed
- Ensure important information has been heard correctly by asking the listener to repeat it back to you (e.g. appointment times; medication instructions)
- When in doubt, ask the person how you can help them to understand you better