When you have a hearing issue, your greatest fear is being asked a question. Here’s 5 ways that you, or someone with ordinary hearing, can help:
!) Look at them straight in the face. If that’s impossible, a ninety-degree angle also works. For some people it’s better. If they look confused, see below.
2) Please look behind you to see if there is a window. If there is, please move. Light from windows throws your face into shadow and makes it difficult to read your expression.
3) Try to speak clearly. Be aware that you might tail off at the end of a sentence. For the benefit of the person in front of you, can you try to keep the volume the same – not so much that we fall asleep!
4) Be your normal self. That’s probably difficult after 3) above. The more relaxed you are, the more the hearing-assisted person will relax. If you are stiff, the Deaf or hearing-assisted person will look around for the source of your discomfort, instead of concentrating on what you are saying!
5) Repeat yourself. If they do not understand, do not keep repeating. Find another word or phrase to the one that follows. Try looking in the mirror as you say this: “Is there anything else I can help you with?” . Concentrate on how your lips move. A lot of people with a hearing issue will hear the word ‘help’ and I have trained myself to look for the word ‘with’. It is really difficult to lipread, usually because it is delivered at a mile-a-minute.
Thanks on behalf of all deaf and hard-of-hearing people. We really appreciate it!