Hearing loss can make it challenging to have conversations. This chronic condition reduces capacity to hear and process sound. Fortunately, hearing aids, the most common treatment for hearing loss, provides ample support that allows people to hear with greater ease. In addition to treating hearing loss and wearing hearing aids, there are ways to support your loved ones hearing needs. This includes practicing effective communication strategies that help make conversations more accessible.
Communication Strategies
Successful communication requires the participation and effort of everyone involved in the conversation. It is important to remember that the burden of responsibility is not just on the person with hearing loss, and this labor should be shared. A few communication strategies you can use to increase hearing and understanding include the following:
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- Grab your loved one’s attention before speaking. You can easily do this by calling their name. This notifies them that you are about to start a conversations, allowing them to be ready for the conversation
- Face them while speaking. It is helpful to be visible and to maintain that visibility throughout a conversation. This allows your loved one to have access to nonverbal cues like facial expressions and body language which are ways we follow a conversation. Your lips are also visible, letting them lip read to help identify words – another useful strategy that people with hearing loss use.
- Speak clearly. Be sure to speak as clearly and naturally as possible. Avoid projecting your voice, people often assume that speaking louder solves the problem. But this can actually distort sound further. Also avoid speaking too rapidly as this makes it more likely to miss words.
- Avoid multitasking. This includes texting, cleaning, emailing etc. Doing other things while trying to have a conversation can be distracting. It can also create additional noise for the other person to filter, making it more difficult to hear. Both you and your loved one should be as fully present and engaged as possible.
- Reduce background noise. Background noise provides more noise that the ears and brain have to then process. This competing noise creates additional labor and can be tasking. Reduce background noise by powering off the television, music, or household appliances that are contributing to sound (or reduce the volume).
- Rephrase rather than repeat. If your loved one is struggling to understand something you are saying, try rephrasing rather than repeating using the exact same words. This is helpful because sometimes, they can have trouble hearing specific types of sound.
- Pay attention and check-in. It is important to actively listen and pay attention to your loved one throughout the conversation. If they express a puzzled look or seem confused, pause and ask if you can explain anything. This takes the pressure off of them and creates an opportunity to clarify and reshare.
A few more tips include texting detailed information, avoiding speaking from a separate room, and be sure to take turns during a conversation. These tips can significantly help maximize their hearing capacity and allow conversations to happen smoothly.
Additional Tips to Support Your Loved One
Actively practicing communication strategies is a great way to support your loved one’s hearing needs. In addition to this you can:
- Encourage regular hearing tests: hearing needs can change over time so it is recommended that people have their hearing tested annually. Be sure to encourage this which you can do by also having your hearing evaluated!
- Make sure environments are accessible: public environments are required to meet accessibility standards. You can check to see that spaces and activities have options for people with hearing loss prior to showing up.
- Support hearing aids use: it is important for people to wear their hearing aids during waking hours. These devices are designed to provide significant support and offer countless benefits so be sure to support wearing hearing aids throughout the day.
- Learn about hearing loss: take the time to learn about hearing loss. There are numerous misconceptions and stigma associated with the condition. Learning more can better help you provide support and care.
Your support on the hearing loss journey is invaluable. Practicing effective communication strategies can transform conversations and strengthen relationships. To learn more, contact us today.