How To Communicate with the Hard of Hearing

One way to improve communication with the hard of hearing is to tailor your communication patterns to best suit their needs by:

  1. Being aware of who has a hearing problem and who wears a hearing aid.
  2. Using the access symbol for hearing impairment.
  3. Following some simple rules for communication:
    1. Don't do anything else while talking to the hard of hearing person.
    2. Get the person's attention
    3. Face the person so that the light is on your face; look up and tilt your face so your mouth can be seen.
    4. Avoid talking against background noise if possible since talking, TV, can block out your voice.
    5. Don't hide your mouth. Anything: food, gum, hands, can prevent speechreading.
    6. Do not shout.
    7. Speak clearly and slowly.
    8. Rephrase a misunderstood sentence. Say it in a different way.
    9. Use facial expressions, gestures. This adds meaning to your words.
    10. Write key words for the person to read.
    11. Bluffing may be a problem.. Hard of hearing people often smile and nod as if they understand you when they do not. To be sure you have been understood, ask the person to repeat back what you said.

An excellent resource from Worksafe BC (downloadable/printable PDF file)

Helpful hints to friends and family of the hard of hearing