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A conversation that happens on an almost daily basis in my office centers around communication between spouses; parents and adult children; caretakers and friends. This may sound like a cliche, but communication goes both ways. What do I mean by this? When a person decides to get hearing aids, they are getting them to improve their communication with their loved one; however, hearing aids do not cure the hearing loss. The reality is that a person with hearing loss has a brain with hearing loss and it no longer functions the same as someone with normal hearing. This is a simple but profound statement.
A frustration I hear daily is: “My husband/wife still can’t hear me from the other room” or “My husband/wife talks to me with their back turned and won’t listen when I ask them to turn around.” If this sounds familiar, please understand that the person with hearing loss is not doing this on purpose and some small changes can have a big impact.
We have a brochure that we hand out that has communication tips for both the person with the hearing loss and the person living/caring for that person.
For persons with hearing loss:
- Be open with people about the hearing loss
- Ask people to speak clearly and naturally: shouting and over-emphasizing just causes confusion
- If you didn’t understand, it is helpful to ask the person to use different words
- Don’t be too hard on yourself; even people with normal hearing mis-hears once in a while
- Look at people when they speak to you (masks make this difficult)
- Be patient
- Have a sense of humor
Wear the hearing aids as much as possible – even when home alone, your brain needs the stimulation.
For people communicating with a person with hearing loss:
- Get the person’s attention before speaking: call their name, make a noise or tap on their shoulder
- Don’t shout or over-emphasize: that just distorts speech
- Use different words if the person misunderstands
- Be aware of the environment: don’t converse from room to room or with your head in the refrigerator
- Understand that hearing aids help, but they do not restore normal hearing; there will be times when your loved one doesn’t hear you or understand something you said
- Try not to say “Never mind” if you’ve been asked to repeat yourself– it just makes your loved one feel both ignored and left out
- Be patient
- Have a sense of humor
Communicating with a person with hearing loss is not rocket science, it just takes some small behavioral changes. The reward will be a more harmonious home and fewer hard feelings on both sides.
If you would like more information or would like to make an appointment for a hearing evaluation, please call 561-366-7219.
Audiology with a Heart
(561) 366-7219
2324 S. Congress Ave.
Suite 2G Palm Springs, FL 33406
