Tips for Caregivers on How to Communicate with the Deaf or Hard of Hearing

By Maggie Smedley, Executive Director

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

 Life can be frustrating when you are providing care for a person who has a hearing loss.  It’s frustrating for both the caregiver and the person with the hearing loss.  We all struggle with communication issues, but people with hearing loss have to constantly battle to hear what others are saying.   Sometimes we say something and assume the other person understood us.  In reality, they may not have heard us at all and they are not intentionally tuning us out.

One of the biggest challenges facing anyone with a hearing loss is communication.  When communication is hindered, annoyance, aggravation and confusion can result.  Working together can resolve many of these communication challenges. Here are some tips for both the caregiver and the person with hearing loss. 

For the Caregiver:

·        Do not speak until you have the attention of the person with hearing loss, and maintain eye contact throughout the conversation.

·        Speak at your normal rate and tone so your speech isn’t distorted and so you don’t prevent further hearing damage to those using hearing aids.

·        Speak clearly.

·        Keep your sentences short. 

·        If the person doesn’t understand what you’re saying rephrase it and ask if they understand.

·        If possible, demonstrate what you are talking about. Use facial expressions and body language to help the person understand what you’re saying.

·        Communicate by writing your ideas so they’re easily understood (if the person is a good reader).

·        In a group it helps to inform the person of the conversation’s topic so the conversation is easier to follow.

·        Remember lip reading isn’t a science – there’s a lot of guesswork involved.

For the person with a hearing loss:

·        Pay attention when someone is speaking to you.

·        Let them know if you did not understand. 

·        When a person is talking with you, remind them to look at you so you can see them better.  Take clues from facial expressions and body language.

·        If dining at a restaurant, sit in a well-lit area so you can read lips.  Also, sit with your back against a wall to block other sounds.

·        Inform others of the best way to communicate with you. 

·        If you’re going to a performance and have a hearing aid with a T-coil (telephone coil), check to see if the venue has a loop installed to help you hear a clearer performance.  Visit www.hearingloop.org and click on West Michigan to see looped venues in the area.

·        Advocate for yourself when possible.  Individuals with a hearing loss have the right to request interpretation services or assistive listening devices before attending legal, medical or court appointments, etc.

For more information on assistive devices, ADA provisions, lip reading and American Sign Language classes, and for interpreter referrals services, contact Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services at (616) 732-7358 (v, vp, tty) or visit www.deafhhs.org.