Hearing loss affects more than one in 10 people in the United States. When you live with hearing loss, communication is often the first thing to suffer. Repeated misunderstandings build feelings of frustration, mental fatigue and social isolation.
Focusing on clear, compassionate communication is an important step in helping your loved ones cope with hearing loss.
Tips to Improve Communication
There are a few things to keep in mind when communicating with your loved ones with hearing loss:
- Don’t shout. Even when trying to help someone hear, raising your voice almost always comes off as angry. Instead, talk at a normal volume and rephrase your words when asked.
- Talk face-to-face. While you may not always realize it, your facial expressions and position do a lot of heavy lifting in speech comprehension. When you’re turned away from someone, your speech moves in the wrong direction, and they miss your visual cues and facial expressions. To support better comprehension, make a habit of facing the person directly when speaking.
- Use visual cues. Visual cues, like gentle gestures or pointing to relevant objects, help clarify speech. For example, when explaining medication schedules, show the pillbox while describing it. These cues tie spoken words to concrete items, reinforcing understanding.
- Pay attention to background noise. People with hearing loss often struggle to understand speech amidst background noise. Help your loved one by paying attention to the environment. Turning off televisions or loud music makes a significant difference. Even noisy restaurants can hamper communication, so consider choosing quieter Denville spots for nights out.
- Be patient. Even with the best intentions, it can feel frustrating to repeat yourself frequently. Do your best to remain patient if communication feels difficult. Focus on calmly rephrasing and remember that communication is a two-way street. Working together allows you and your loved one to enjoy a patient, empathetic conversation.
Talk to Your Loved One About Hearing Aids
Getting your first pair of hearing aids can feel like a big step. Offer gentle encouragement if your loved one has been struggling to take the leap into treatment. Your support could be the push they need to take control of their hearing journey. You can even offer to accompany them to their appointment to help ease their worries.
If your loved one is ready to start treatment, contact Speech & Hearing Associates to make an appointment with one of our specialists.