|
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! |
