Tips For Communicating With Loved Ones With Hearing Loss

As you get older, your loved ones’ hearing may decline. When this happens try not to see it as a negative, instead ensure you get them the help they require. In today’s world, there are many treatments that can be used to help improve a loved one’s hearing. Simply take them to an audiologist and they can perform the correct tests and recommend the right course of action after. In most cases, a hearing aid could be the solution – hearing aids have developed so much in recent times, so much so that many people wear them without you even knowing.

When communicating with loved ones with hearing loss, there are a variety of tips that you may find useful. When talking, try to speak clearly, loudly and be patient. Hearing loss can be frustrating sometimes as they may keep asking you to repeat yourself – remember this is as frustrating for you as it will be for them.

Below we have put together our guide on tips for communicating with loved ones with hearing loss.

Speak Clearly

Our number one tip is to try and speak clearly to the person who has hearing loss. When communicating, speak slowly as this will help with your clarity. Try to control your breathing to ensure you don’t speak too fast and maintain a good posture.

When you can, take pauses as this will give them a moment to process what you are saying, enabling them to respond easier. By paying attention to how you speak to someone, you will automatically speak more clearly as you are aware of how you are speaking.

Reduce Background Noise

If you are speaking to someone without hearing loss, it can sometimes be difficult to understand each other when there is a lot of background noise going on. Now adding someone within hearing loss and background noise can make it near impossible to understand what you are saying.

When communicating, be aware of your surroundings and the background noise that is being produced – maybe you have the radio on, tv on or are speaking over others. Try to go to a space that doesn’t have background noise or if that’s not possible a room where it is reduced. This will make it a lot easier to communicate with each other.

Say Things Differently

If when communicating, your loved one is struggling to understand what you are saying, try to say it differently, instead of repeating what you are saying multiple times. Sometimes it’s the way you say something that can make it easier to understand. The way you say something can have a big impact on how it’s interpreted.

Use Plain Language

A lot of people get into the habit of using slang words when communicating to others. However, using slang words can be difficult to understand if you are experiencing hearing loss – especially if it’s a new slang word that they haven’t heard before. When communicating with a loved one with hearing loss, try to use plain, simple language to help them understand what you are saying. Be clear, precise and straight to the point. Instead of using 20 words to say something try and use 10 for example.

Try Not to Be Too Far Away from Them

A really simple tip to help when communicating with someone who has hearing loss is to not be too far away from them when speaking. Whenever communicating together, try to be as close as possible. This will make it easier for them to understand what you are saying, hear what you are saying and they can then look at your face and keep eye contact to give them the additional support.

Being next to someone is so important when it comes to communicating as it makes it a lot easier to understand what you are talking about. Speak with your audiologist if you have any concerns with you or your loved ones hearing loss.

If you are concerned about your hearing and would like to speak to an audiologist, you can reach out to Hearing Aid Consultants of North Mississippi at (662) 234-1337. They are on hand to answer any questions you have and to support you with your hearing. If you don’t have the time to call right now, you can reach out through email, and they will get back to you as soon as possible. Don’t let your hearing get you down. There are so many non-invasive ways to support you with hearing loss.