Tips for Communicating With Someone Who Has Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is extremely common among adults. Even mild hearing loss can make conversation difficult. Here are some simple ways to communicate more effectively with someone who has hearing loss:
- Speak clearly and in your regular tone of voice.
- Don’t shout. Shouting just makes it harder for the person with hearing loss to understand you.
- Get the person’s attention before speaking.
- Wait until you are in the same room to have a conversation. Face the person as you speak.
- Stand or sit 3–6 feet from the listener.
- Don’t block your mouth when speaking.
- Talk in quieter places. Eliminate background noise, such as sounds from the TV.
- When possible, turn on more lights in the room—or move to a room with good lighting.
- Say the phrase or message in a different way if it appears that a person is having difficulty understanding you.
- Build “breaks” into your conversation. People with hearing loss expend extra effort listening, which can cause fatigue. Intentionally create breaks in your conversation.
- Turn on captioning when watching TV or talking over video platforms such as Zoom.
- Be patient. Understand that the person with hearing loss may be frustrated with any communication breakdowns. Communication is a two-way street, so do your part to ensure a successful interaction.
You may not remember to do all of these things all of the time, but you can vastly improve a person’s communication success by trying your best. For more information and tips, and to find a certified audiologist in your area, visit www.asha.org/public/.
