Communication Strategies

1
Communication Strategies

• It Takes Two to Tango

2
Dont try to hide your hearing loss

• Listener Acknowledge your hearing loss and tell
  who you are communicating with about your hearing
  loss
• Communication Partner Dont shout or exaggerate
  mouth movements. Try to speak clearly with pauses
  between phrases

3
Use hearing assistive technology

• Listener If you own hearing aids, use them.
  Check to see what devices are available. Consult
  your audiologist on the latest in hearing
  assistive technology
• Communication Partner Encourage the use of
  assistive devices

4
Polish your concentration skills

• Listener Pay extra attention to the talker.
  Watch the talkers mouth. Try to concentrate on
  the topic of conversation
• Communication Partner Realize that it is a
  strain for people hearing difficulties and
  appreciate their attempts

5
Be prepared

• Listener Anticipate difficult listening
  situations. Create an environment conducive to
  listening. Read up on the topic beforehand
• Communication Partner Think ahead of time on how
  to minimize communication problems. Remember that
  planning ahead and creating a conducive listening
  environment will benefit everyone

6
Use effective clarification strategies

• Listener Avoid saying, Huh? or What? Try
  asking specific questions or repeating what you
  did hear
• Communication Partner When the listener misses
  something, repeat what you said once, using clear
  speech. If thats not successful, try rephrasing

7
Try to determine the source of your difficulty

• Listener Try to figure out what is causing your
  difficulties with a specific talker and make
  specific requests, such as, Could you speak a
  little slower?
• Communication Partner Speak clearly and a bit
  more slowly. Try not to cover your mouth

8
Verify what you think you heard

• Listener If you are unsure you heard a message
  correctly, confirm the details with the talker
• Communication Partner When speaking, be sure to
  speak clearly and ask if the person with hearing
  difficulty understood

9
Accentuate the positive

• Listener Use positive words when you need help,
  such as, Could you speak a little bit louder?
• Communication Partner When the listener with a
  hearing loss asks you to speak louder, take it as
  a compliment they want to hear what you are
  saying

10
Be assertive

• Listener Let your communication partner know
  what you need to help facilitate conversation
• Communication Partner If the person youre
  talking with indicates they have a hearing loss
  and asks for accommodations, please try to follow
  through

11
Listen with your eyes not just your ears

• Listener Watch the speakers face to help figure
  out what is being said
• Communication Partner Since listeners can
  benefit by watching your lips, please try not to
  cover your mouth while speaking

12
Sometimes its okay to break the rules

• Listener Its okay to interrupt people sometimes
  to ensure successful communication
• Communication Partner Remember even if someone
  seems rude, theyre just trying to let you know
  they are having difficulties communicating

13
Go easy on yourself

• Listener Dont blame yourself or others for
  communication difficulties. Try to stay positive
  and use the tips provided
• Communication Partner Even if its hard for you
  to communicate, its even harder for the person
  with hearing loss, so remember to use the tips
  provided