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When it comes to communicating, hearing loss can be a significant issue. Whether you have been diagnosed with hearing loss or not, these tips could help you better understand what others are saying and improve your quality of life.
Face Others When They Are Speaking to You
Facing others when speaking to you is an essential part of hearing loss communication. It allows you to focus more on what is said and respond accordingly. You could also ask the people around you to face you when talking. This way, you won’t have to worry about turning your head or strain to hear them better.
Turn Off Other Noises
Noise from other sources such as the TV, radio, and other people in the background can make it more difficult for a person with hearing loss to focus on what they need to hear. It is therefore essential to turn off these noises when having a conversation.
Consider Assistive Listening Devices
Many different assistive listening devices (ALDs) can help with hearing loss communication. ALDs work by amplifying sound or making it easier for hearing loss to understand what is said.
Some common ALDs include:
Personal Amplifiers are small devices that help amplify the sound in front of you. This can be helpful when trying to focus on a specific voice or conversation
FM Systems- are similar to personal amplifiers but work by sending an audio signal directly into the hearing aid
Wireless systems allow for multiple people with different listening needs at one time. They also come equipped with headphones so that others don’t have to listen if they do not want/need too
Hearing Aids- are the most common ALD and come in a variety of sizes, styles, and functions
When getting assistive listening devices, consider the following hearing aid programming tips:
- Turn the volume up on your hearing aids
- Make sure you can hear all of the sounds around you by adjusting the settings on your hearing aids
- Program your hearing aids to amplify speech and reduce background noise
Before choosing your hearing aids, you should consider the following:
- The number of listening environments you’ll be in
- Your lifestyle and hobbies
- How much money you are willing to spend on your hearing aids
Tell Others What You Need
For communication to be effective, both the hearing loss and the speaker must understand each other. This can be done by telling the speaker what assistance you may need during a conversation. Some everyday things to ask for include:
- Face me when you’re talking
- Turn off background noise
- Speak slower and enunciate clearly
Be Aware of Nonverbal Cues
Nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, gestures, and body language can give away a lot about what a person is trying to communicate. Unfortunately, it can often be difficult for a hearing loss to pick up on these cues. Therefore you must let the speaker know if you have trouble understanding them or not getting their message across.
Don’t Get Frustrated
Although communication may take more effort than usual when someone has hearing loss, frustration should always be avoided. Even if one thing gets miscommunicated, the overall intended meaning will likely still come through loud and clear.
Get Your Services From an Audiologist
There are many different resources available depending on where in Canada you live, but there are also ways of seeking help online. From audiologists specializing in treating people with cochlear implants to those who offer remote support, it is vital to get the help and advice you need to make communication easier.
Audiology services can offer many different types of support, including:
Hearing tests—refer to both a hearing loss diagnosis and the measurement of how well you can listen to in other environments
Hearing aid fittings—ensure that your hearing aids are fitted correctly and working correctly for your specific type and degree of hearing loss
Aural rehabilitation—counseling/training on how to best use your new hearing aids, manage difficult listening situations and maximize communication potential
Assistive listening device fittings—are recommended if you are using an ALD with your hearing aids
Tinnitus management—counseling and support for managing the ringing in your ears
Cochlear implant mapping—is the process of testing an implant to make sure it is working correctly and can be adjusted if necessary
Although hearing loss may present some challenges when communicating with others, there are many ways to make this easier. Communication can still be effective with adjustments, patience, and understanding. Seeking out audiology services is a great way to find the resources and assistance needed for better communication.
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