The following communication strategies can help alleviate potential frustrations and ensure that people who have difficulty hearing can still effectively interact and engage with those around them.

• Be willing to inform the speaker of your hearing difficulties. Suggest ways that they can help you understand.
• Be conscious of the environment:
  • Is there background noise or conversation that may be distracting?
  • Is there sufficient light?
  • Is the room reverberant, or are there rugs and drapes to help absorb the echoes?
  • Can you position yourself so you can see the faces of the speaker?
  • If you are at a restaurant, ask to be seated away from the kitchen and in a booth.

Helpful Tips for Family Members

• Make sure you have the attention of the hearing impaired person before you begin speaking.
• Keep in mind that information is best received when listening and looking, so…
  • Speak slowly and clearly; do not shout or over-articulate.
  • Try to avoid dropping the volume at the end of a sentence.
  • Face the person at all times.
  • Use gestures, facial expressions, and body language to get your point across.
  • Do not talk with anything in your mouth.
• If something is not understood, change the wording instead of repeating exactly what you said.
• Be sure the hearing impaired person knows the topic of conversation so that the right words will come to his mind. Clue him in when the subject of conversation changes.
• Be patient! The hearing impaired person will likewise be frustrated by communication difficulties.