Mid-America Hearing Center, Tips For The Family

TIPS FOR THE FAMILY OF A PERSON WITH A HEARING IMPAIRMENT

1.	Don't Shout	This distorts your voice. Face the listener and talk in a normal voice, at close range.
2.	Distance	Persons with a hearing impairment cannot hear, or they experience difficulty in understanding your words. If you speak the same words in a normal voice when close to the listener, he will usually understand. The greater the degree of hearing impairment, the closer you have to be to the listener.
3.	Direction	Some persons with hearing loss have difficulty determining the direction from which sound is coming. This is especially true if the hearing in the two ears is different. If he calls you and asks, "Where are you?" never answer "here". Instead, say the specific place, such as, "In the kitchen!" Remember, the best communication will occur when the listener is able to see your face.
4.	Understanding Speech	Often listeners with hearing impairments will note that they can hear, but can't make out the words. Sometimes family members will complain that he "hears when he wants to". This occurs because, for most people with a hearing impairment, their hearing is normal for some frequencies, but not for all frequencies. So, he may hear and not understand. Or, depending on the amount of noise, he may not hear you at all. If the person with the hearing impairment does not understand what you've said, DO NOT REPEAT THE SAME WORDS. Instead try re-wording the sentence.
5.	Self Monitoring	If the person with a hearing impairment cannot determine the volume of his own voice, tell him tactfully when he is speaking too loudly or too softly.
6.	Don't Call	Persons with a hearing impairment often don't respond to being "called to". In order to get their attention come close to them and mention their name or touch them.
7.	Noise	Some rooms are noisier than others. Appliances, such as a dishwasher, microwave oven, air conditioner and of course TV and radio make listening to conversation more difficult. When possible, try to move away from noise sources or turn down the TV or radio during conversation. Many people with hearing impairment have great difficulty hearing outside because sound is freely dispersed.
8.	Lip Reading	Never speak with your hand in front of your face. Also do not talk with something in your mouth such as food or a cigarette.
9.	Fatigue	A person with a hearing impairment must work harder to take part in a conversation as effectively as a normal hearing person. Not surprisingly, he or she often will not hear as well as usual when tired or ill.

If you think someone in your family is hearing impaired, call one of our toll-free numbers and schedule a FREE hearing exam TODAY!

For more information Call Mid-America Dental & Hearing Center at 1-800-354-1905 / 1-800-372-4554 or E-Mail us!