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How to understand conversations if you have a hearing aid/hearing loss

Lip-reading and non verbal communication is a very important method of communicating with other people.  When speaking, clues are gained not only from what is heard but also from what is seen.  These complement and supplement each other, helping a hearing impaired person to piece together conversations.

The best conditions for listening are:

• In a room with soft furnishings (carpets, curtains, etc absorb sound, therefore reducing the echo).
• Try to reduce the background noise around you (e.g. turn off the TV when having a conversation).

• Ask the person/people you’re talking to, to face you, speak clearly and a little louder (it will be more difficult for you to pick out the words of the speaker if they mumble or shout).

Communication and listening tactics/tips:

• Don’t be afraid to tell people that you have difficulty hearing and that you lip-read before you start a conversation.
• Ask people to get your attention before they start talking to you.
• Position yourself about 3-6ft away from the person you are talking too – lip-reading can be difficult if the speaker is too close or too far away.
• Make sure the room you are in is well lit and that you have your back to the light source – the light will then fall on the speakers face.
• Make sure you can see the speaker’s face and lips. Their gestures and facial expressions will help you to understand what they are saying.
• Try to keep calm and don’t panic. If you become anxious or flustered, it might be harder for you to follow what’s being said.

• If your hearing is not the same in both ears, try turning your better side towards the person speaking to you.

How to help a person with a hearing aid/hearing loss understand your conversation

Lip-reading and non verbal communication is a very important method of communicating with other people.  When speaking, clues are gained not only from what is heard but also from what is seen.  These complement and supplement each other, helping a hearing impaired person to piece together conversations.  

The following tips will help someone with a hearing aid/hearing loss interact in a conversation with you:

• Attract the person’s attention before you start speaking – that way the person can catch the beginning of what you say and not just the end.
• Don’t speak to the person from another room.
• Keep your face visible and ensure it is well lit – your gestures and facial expressions will help the person to understand what you’re saying.
• Try to avoid conversations in noisy environments (don’t speak to someone in the kitchen where there is noise from kettles, washing machines, etc).
• Do not hide your mouth behind your hands, a newspaper or any other object.
• Use natural hand gestures but don’t over exaggerate the movements.
• Don’t shout – speak clearly and not too quickly.  Shouting and over mouthing what you are saying may alter the lip pattern and if you talk too slowly you may destroy the natural rhythm of what you are saying.
• Make the subject of what you are saying as clear as possible.
• Use plain language, avoid jargon and try not to waffle.
• Use full sentences rather than short phrases as they are easier to understand.
    

It is important that the person you are talking to sees your eyes, therefore if you are wearing sunglasses remove them while you are talking.