Communicating with people who have a hearing impairment
Whether it’s a work or social setting there are some simple things you can do to make communication easier for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
- Face the person when talking and don’t cover your mouth with your hands
- Speak clearly but not too slowly
- Don’t shout – it can be uncomfortable for hearing aid users
- Communicate in a well-lit area with minimal background noise and distractions
- If there is an interpreter make sure face the person using the interpreter
- If someone asks you to repeat yourself, don’t keep repeating the same thing – try to re-word it.
Are you or someone you know experiencing signs of hearing loss?
Have you noticed a difference in your hearing? Are you having problems hearing conversations when there is background noise or finding yourself asking people to repeat things more often? – If so you may be experiencing hearing loss.
You can check your hearing online with this hearing test.
Early signs of hearing loss can include:
- Difficulty hearing conversations when there is back ground noise
- People sound like they are mumbling
- Asking people to repeat things more often
- Struggle to follow a group conversation
- Finding telephone conversations more difficult to hear
- Other people think your TV or music is too loud
It’s not just older people who suffer with hearing loss
If you’re a music lover and enjoy a live gig or the outdoor party experience of a music festival or love nothing more than hitting the dance floor on a Saturday night, you could be risking your hearing.
Experts agree that noise at or above 85 decibels can over time damage hearing. The average nightclub has a noise level of over 100 decibels and the average live music gig is about 110 decibels.
Here are some other causes of hearing loss:
- Exposure to loud noises
- Head trauma
- Virus or disease
- Autoimmune inner ear disease
- Hearing loss that runs in the family
- The ageing process
Benefits of wearing hearing aids
According to a survey by Action on Hearing Loss, people who use hearing aids are generally very satisfied with them. More than half said “being fitted with a hearing aid was a relief” and most of them felt their lives had improved because they “felt more involved”.
Modern day hearing aids are much improved and a lot trendier than the old fashioned ones and they come in funky colours too.
For support or an assessment on hearing loss contact:
Kirklees Gateway to Care or call 01484 414933 (24 hours a day 7 days a week)
For more information visit Action on Hearing Loss
