How to talk to someone with hearing loss by Creative

Home Log In Sign Up FAQ's Contact ProBlogs About ProBlogs

Become a ProBlogger!

Be a part of the professional blogging community at ProBlogs.com!

Signup Now! | Log In

Featured Bloggers

Creative^(51,573)

Robert Melaccio, sr^(25,977)

CatherineYen^(18,435)

Mike Fak^(17,924)

Danny Davids^(13,038)

Alf Gordon^(13,019)
Rob Trahan^(12,253)

beanerywriters^(11,214)
CarolynCHolland^(8,915)

BJChips^(5,367)

Home » Categories » Health » Health News » How to talk to someone with hearing loss

How to talk to someone with hearing loss

By Creative^(51,573)

Posted Sunday, December 16, 2007
View All Blog Posts submitted by Creative

I am writing this blog post to help those who come across people suffering from partial hearing loss with tips on how to communicate effectively.

My little boy presently has glue ear which means that he has fluid behind his eardrum and as such has moderate hearing loss in both ears. He’s going to have grommets fitted shortly but in the mean time he can hear but not very well. Normal voices sound like whispers to him.

Since finding out about his hearing loss a few months ago when the problem first became apparant it has been very frustrating seeing how people deal with the news that he can’t hear very well. Rather than ensuring that he can see them properly and that they merely speak louder, they tend to talk slower, quieter and exaggerate their mouth movements. The result is that even I with normal hearing can barely understand what they are saying. But at least they are trying to communicate with him.

The other reaction I have is that they decide not to try to talk to him at all and ignore him. If people get no response from him, they can quickly become impatient and dismiss him all together. As he is only 4 yrs old, I find this very upsetting, perhaps more so than he does. This is even after I have told them he has hearing loss.

So, if you come across a child or adults who have moderate hearing loss, here are a few tips on how to communicate with them. Please do not stop trying!

Ensure the person with hearing loss can see you when talking to them, that you have their full attention before you begin.
Do not talk to them behind when they cannot see you, or from afar. Get closer and face them.
Don’t mumble or speak too slow or too fast and certainly do not exaggerate mouth movements or ‘mouth’ words silently. Just talk louder but without shouting.
Don’t cover your mouth or eat when speaking to them.
Background noise can make hearing problems more exaggerated so get closer or perhaps go to a quieter place to talk.
If the person does not hear you the first time, be patient, don’t dismiss them or not ‘bother’. They are not being rude, they just can’t hear you.

And most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask them how you can help them to hear you better.

This Blog Post has been read 232 times.
Posted to ProBlogs.com on Sunday, December 16, 2007
View other posts by Creative

Comments on this blog post:
No comments yet.

Leave a Public Comment or Question:

S.A.D - Seasonal Affective Disorder
Food Allergies & Fast Food Restaurants! A review on McDonalds
Bad Habits Promote Good Health
Possible Link Between Cell Phone Usage and Male Infertility
Social Anxiety - The Top 5 Pets That Can Help You
Choking Game Poses Serious Health Threats to Unsuspecting Teens
Getting Off Meds Has Consequences? How About Getting On Them?

Most Recent Related Posts

"The Lull Before the Storm".

Chinese Heparin Bleeds America Like the Fed; Where is Ron Paul?

Online Auctions: Love Them or Loath Them?

Chi Mei Musuem in Taiwan, the collectable world renowned violins and others

Passion versus 2nd Ambition

New Migration of Immigrants in Northern Virginia.

John McCain The Neo con

Home alone - fending off robbers or working?

Building a PC for Dummies...Dummy

we havent talked for a year but i think she might like me