Living with hearing loss can be challenging, not just for the individual experiencing it, but also for their family members. Whether you and your loved ones are living with tinnitus, sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss or mixed hearing loss, effective communication is essential for maintaining strong relationships. When someone has hearing loss, changes need to be made to ensure everyone still feels connected and understood. This blog aims to provide practical tips for families and friends to improve communication and create a supportive environment for loved ones with hearing loss.
Understanding Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is common. Common causes of hearing loss include aging, prolonged exposure to loud noises, and certain medical conditions or medications. As hearing loss sets in, you may notice your loved one having difficulty hearing in noisy environments, frequently asking for repetitions, or turning up the volume on electronic devices. Understanding these signs can prompt timely medical consultations and interventions, ensuring better management of hearing loss.
Emotional aspects of hearing loss
Much of the online advice around hearing loss is based on the medical reality and diagnosis of partial or full hearing loss, its causes and management. Of equal importance, however, is the emotional toll it can take on people and their relationships – not just for the person suffering, but the people who love them also. All relationships are based on communication, which can break down when people struggle to hear. Family members may feel that the person is purposefully ignoring them or may get frustrated having to repeat themselves multiple times. It’s important for loved ones to understand the level of effort required for someone with hearing loss to talk with others, and to try to be patient when speaking.
For the person suffering from hearing loss, it can be equally frustrating having to ask people to repeat themselves. It can leave them feeling like a nuisance and isolated from those they love. Not to mention the extra mental energy they expend in order to understand others. They may become tired, irritable and less likely to interact with others. This is one reason that hearing loss can be associated with low mood and depression.
How to talk to someone with someone with a hearing impairment: practical tips
Speak Face-to-face
Make sure your whole face is pointing towards someone with a hearing impairment. Non-verbal cues can be a huge help when trying to understand you. Facial expressions can give good emotional context and lip reading can supplement their understanding.
Speak steadily and to the point
Do not speak overly slowly or exaggerate your mouth movements, as this can be confusing. Instead, speak at a steady pace and keep your language simple and to the point. Avoid shouting, as this can cause distortion of speech and make understanding more difficult.
Minimise background noise
If someone has partial hearing loss, creating a quiet environment when you want to speak should make it easier to focus on what you are saying
Help them get a hearing aid
If the person has not yet had a hearing test, they may be able to manage some of their hearing problems with an assistive device. This may be a difficult process for them, which may be easier with your support. They can start with our quick, free online hearing test. It will likely recommend they come in for a test with our audiologist, which you are free to attend with them.
Rephrase, don’t repeat
If you are not understood initially, try using different words. This will help the person with a hearing impairment piece together what you are trying to communicate.
Non-verbal communication
Like lip-reading, gestures, body language and written notes can all help give someone context of what you are trying to communicate.
Creating a supportive environment for someone with hearing loss
Small things can make a big difference to someone who struggles with hearing. By arranging furniture so everyone can see each other’s lips and facial expressions (e.g., sitting in a circle), and ensuring good lighting, you can make it easier for someone with a hearing impairment to take part in conversations.
There are also many free online apps to help with communication, such as speech-to-text apps, as well as many online forums where people with hearing loss can seek advice, support and local community.
Losing your hearing changes your life. Without support it can make someone isolated and sad. However, with a small amount of effort, you can have a huge effect on someone’s life, making sure they are included and cared for. Follow the practical tips laid out in this blog, create an open and accepting environment and above all, have empathy for your loved one’s situation.
