Tips for Hearing People on Communicating with Hard of Hearing People
RULE: When audio is poor, emphasize the visual. Practice special speaking skills.
SET YOUR STAGE
- Face audience directly. Always look at the hard of hearing person.
- Spotlight your face (no back lighting) so the hard of hearing person can see your mouth.
- Avoid noisy backgrounds. Noise blocks out conversation sounds.
- Get attention first. Be sure the hard of hearing person is aware of you
before you speak. - Ask how you can facilitate communication.
PROJECT YOUR COMMUNICATION
- Don't shout. Shouting distorts your face and mouth until speechreading
is impossible. - Speak clearly, at moderate pace. Speak more slowly to let listener keep up with you.
- Don't hide your mouth, chew food, gum, or smoke while talking.
- Rephrase if you are not understood. Try different words or write key words on a pad.
- Use facial expression, gestures, hand signals or finger spelling.
- Give clues when changing subject. Hard of hearing people get lost with sudden changes.
ESTABLISH EMPATHY WITH AUDIENCE
- Be patient if response is slow. Making sense of conversation takes time and is fatiguing.
- Stay positive and relaxed. If you are irritated or annoyed your speech will deteriorate.
- Talk TO hard of hearing people, not ABOUT them. Only their ears are "broken".
- Offer respect to help build confidence. Encouragement is very
helpful and appreciated.
Tips for Hard of Hearing People on Communicating with Hearing People
RULE: Communication is a two-way street. Hard of hearing people must make as much effort as hearing people.
SET YOUR STAGE
- Tell others how best to talk to you. Explain your hearing loss
and tell them what to do. - Pick your best spot (light, quiet, proximity). Choose where you want
to sit or stand. - Anticipate difficult situations, plan how to minimize them.
Think ahead.
PROJECT YOUR COMMUNICATION
- Pay attention. Watch, listen and concentrate so you can follow the
conversation. - Concentrate on speaker. You cannot talk and watch the view at
the same time. - Look for visual clues. Watch for facial expressions, gestures and body language.
- Ask for written cues if needed. Always carry a note pad and pencil.
Ask for key words. - Don't interrupt. Let conversation flow to gain more meaning but admit
if you are lost.
ESTABLISH EMPATHY WITH AUDIENCE
- React. Let speaker know how well he is doing. Show appreciation
for efforts to help. - Don't bluff. Admit it when you don't understand, to prevent serious
trouble. - Conversation is very tiring. If too tired to concentrate, ask for
discussion later.