Living with Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a common problem that most people experience during the process of aging. Diminished hearing is a silent disability that is often overlooked and can dramatically affect people’s quality of life. Hearing aids can be a great resource to increase the ability to communicate with others. Here are some other helpful tips:

• Speak at your normal rate, but not too fast.
• Do not overarticulate.
• Shouting will not make the message any clearer.
• Speak to the person at a distance of three to six feet.
• Position yourself near good light so that your lip movement, facial expressions and gestures are seen clearly.
• Avoid chewing, eating, or covering your mouth while speaking.
• Never speak directly into the person’s ear.
• If the listener does not understand what you said, rephrase the idea in short, simple sentences.
• Include the person in all discussions to prevent feelings of isolation