Loss and loneliness can come to mean the same thing for people with hearing loss. Too often, people stop talking to hard of hearing individuals or feel embarrassed with them because they don’t know how to make themselves understood. A little informed courtesy can go a long way in facilitating communication with people who are hard of hearing.

The following tips can help make communication easier:

-Be Pro-Active! Tell people that you have a hearing loss and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance:

– Ask People to face you when they speak.
– Ask People to slow their speech down for easier speech-reading.
– Let them know when you can’t see them clearly because of shadows of lighting.
– Ensure you have paper and pencil in difficult situations. This will give you another option for clarity.
– Request information ahead of time (speech-reading is easier when you know the subject). When going to plays of concerts etc, request the script ahead of time. If you are lost in conversation, clarify what the topic is.
– Confirm what you assumed you heard. This applies not only to directions but to all important spoken messages. Checking what you thought you heard may avoid inconvenience and embarrassment.
– Use your mobile phone’s AI Live Captioning app. This relatively new technology is available on both iphone and android devices.

Significant Others Can Help Too:

– As mentioned……SLOWER, not louder…..shouting is embarrassing and unnecessary, In fact, it can be irritating and cause discomfort to a hearing aid wearer.
– The nearer the clearer…..speak clearly and naturally, perhaps a little slower than usual. Come closer when you speak as opposed to speaking from across the room or from another room.
– No one has eyes in the back of their head….many hard of hearing people rely on speechreading. Wait for them to look at you before you speak.
– Take sides…..find out if she/he has a “good” ear. Speak to that side.