When you or someone you know has a hearing loss, communication can become compromised, and frustration can set in for the person with a hearing loss and their communication partners.
First, it’s important to simply acknowledge that the loss of any of our senses, the pathways to engage with our outside world, can make us feel disconnected from human experiences. As an audiologist, I want to give you permission for your frustration.
But then, I also want to equip you to feel more in control, if you’re a person with hearing loss. Conversely, if you’re living with someone with a hearing loss, I want you to know there are things you can do to help the dynamic, too. Communication is an innate human need, and here are some strategies and tips that can ease frustration and improve communication opportunities:
- Lower background noise. When you have a hearing loss, background noises such as TV, music, and even the hum of a fan can compete with the human voice. If the weather is nice when dining out, ask to sit outside. If outdoor seating is unavailable, or if it’s sweltering hot like it gets here in Sarasota, ask for a booth or dine around busy restaurant hours.
- Keeps lips visible. When we wore masks frequently, we became very aware of the importance of visual cues to “fill in the blanks” of communication with slight mouth movements and facial expressions. We easily get into family patterns of calling to each other or asking something from another room, but face-to-face communication will increase understanding and positive communication outcomes.
- Have conversations in good lighting. In dim lighting, looking at someone’s lips for cues, known as speechreading, is problematic. When out to eat o at a social gathering, look for conversation spaces close to good lighting that doesn’t cast dark shadows, which can also diminish speechreading.
- Watch your positioning. If you know you hear better from one ear over the other, position yourself with your conversation partner, so that their speech is in your stronger ear. It’s ok to communicate to people which side of them you’d prefer to sit on for a more efficient conversation.
- Maintain your hearing aids. If you have hearing aids, keeping them clean, dry, and maintained will ensure they are doing their job. Schedule quarterly appointments with Hearing Aids of Sarasota office to make sure your aids are in optimal working condition for your communication success!
Hearing loss can sometimes be challenging, but with these strategies, you can enjoy the activities and people you always have. If you’re a communication partner to someone with a hearing loss, you can be more mindful of simple accommodations that ease speaker and listener frustrations.
