Ask the person with hearing loss what you can do to improve communication:
“…perhaps if you stopped talking…”
Ensure the light is on your face and not behind you:
“Can you read my lips better now?”
Get the person’s attention before beginning to speak:
“Yo! Sally!”
Speak clearly and at a normal or slightly slower pace. Do not shout or overemphasize your words, as this distorts speech and makes speechreading difficult:
Facial expressions should match your words, which is helpful when the listener cannot hear your tone of voice:
“No, I don’t like that dress and the color looks awful on you!”
Keep your head up, minimize head and body movement, don’t cover your mouth with hands or other objects:
Eliminate sources of background noise that may interfere with good communication:
Noise and hockey
The noise of the great outdoors
The person with hearing loss using the latest technology may ask for your cooperation:
“I said, I”m glad to see you’re not trying to hide your hearing loss!”
Humor won’t correct our hearing loss, but it sure helps us live with it!
