Supporting People with Hearing Loss

If you have a family member or a friend with hearing loss, then small considerations can make a big difference to their ability to hear. This article takes a look at how to be aware and support those with hearing loss.

If you are close to the person, ask if they would like you to go with them to their next appointment with the audiologist. As well as moral support, you literally offer another pair of ears to take in what the audiologist has to say. In any situation where there is important information or where it’s hard to remember everything, having someone else there can help if there are questions later.

Many audiologists actively encourage the patient to take along a friend or family member in order to get the perspective of someone in contact with them. This can throw new light on areas with which the patient struggles but isn’t aware. Sharing this information, such as the patient doesn’t fully participate in conversations in noisy environments, can give the audiologist valuable guidance as to what sort of hearing aid would best suit the individual’s needs.

If you’re looking to help on a daily basis, some top tips include getting the person’s full attention before you start speaking and then face them full on. Also, aim for good lighting conditions so that your facial expressions and lip movements are clear to see. Try to keep your facial movements normal, rather than exaggerate them.  However, do use plain speech rather than fancy words, which helps the deaf person to lip read more successfully. 

Don’t be afraid to pause during the conversation and ask if the person understands. This gives them a chance to process what they’ve heard before you move the conversation along. Speaking too fast is confusing because it takes time for the brain to fill in the gaps when a person doesn’t hear every word clearly.

If the person replies that they didn’t hear you, avoid raising your voice as this can be intimidating. Instead, try rephrasing the information while speaking clearly. Be aware of your surroundings. If there is a lot of background noise, consider pausing until you move to somewhere more calm where it is easier to hear.

It might be that your work brings you into contact with people suffering from hearing loss. Show them the courtesy and consideration you would wish to be afforded, and take your time to ensure they’ve understood everything. If you regularly deal with people who have hearing loss, then consider asking your employer if installing a hearing loop is possible.

Remember, hearing loss is common, and contrary to public perception, it isn’t just an age-related problem. Whether you have a close friend or family member with hearing difficulties or encounter those with hearing loss as part of your work, be aware that a few simple steps could aid their listening ability.