Dealing with people with hearing impairments can be frustrating, but there are ways to communicate effectively. Speak slowly and clearly, look directly at the person’s face, and avoid speaking too loudly. Remember that a hard of hearing person is not completely deaf and may hear better in one ear than the other. Hearing aids can be expensive, but there are affordable devices that can help. Be patient and understanding when communicating with someone who is hard of hearing.
Many people have elderly relatives with profound hearing loss or friends with noise-induced hearing loss caused by years of exposure to loud music or industrial sounds. Dealing with people with hearing impairments can be frustrating at times, as conversations may need to be repeated several times or important instructions go unheard. It can also be easy to confuse hearing loss with a lack of mental understanding. There are several ways to deal with those with hearing impairments so that both parties don’t become hopelessly frustrated or socially awkward.
One way to deal with a hearing impaired person is to enunciate words slowly and clearly. That doesn’t mean “dumb down” the conversation, however, that it may come across as condescending or insensitive. Instead, look directly at the person’s face when you speak, and only turn the volume up to a point where a comfortable conversation can still be held, not a full-on scream. A person with a naturally low voice may want to increase the pitch and volume. Many people who are hard of hearing cannot hear very low bass tones, but they can hear a woman’s voice quite well.
It is also important to remember that a hard of hearing person is not completely deaf. He or she will not automatically understand sign language or be able to read lips. These are skills acquired over time by those who are profoundly deaf, not necessarily by those with partial hearing loss. A person who is hard of hearing may be able to hear better in one ear than the other, so speaking exclusively in that side can solve many communication problems.
Some people may wonder why a person with chronic hearing impairment doesn’t seek medical treatment to improve their condition or to get a hearing aid. There are many possible answers. Hearing aids can be prohibitively expensive for older people on limited incomes or for those without sufficient health insurance. A professional audiologist can assess the level of hearing loss and suggest various treatments, but cannot force a client to get a hearing aid or undergo delicate surgery. Some people may even realize that their hearing isn’t as good as it used to be, but admitting to such a decline can be socially or professionally embarrassing for them.
On the consumer market there are several products capable of amplifying ambient and background noise through a small electronic microphone and earphones. These devices are generally not cost-prohibitive and may provide some benefits to those who are hearing impaired due to noise exposure or aging. Some devices even fit discreetly into the user’s ear canal and no prescription or exam would be required.
Meanwhile, dealing with someone who is hard of hearing requires patience and understanding. Repeating a conversation can be frustrating for the speaker, but it can be just as frustrating for the person asking for repetition. Losing an important sense like hearing, especially at an early age, can be a very difficult time in a person’s life, so friends, colleagues and family should find ways to help that person adjust to a new reality.
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