This article is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified audiologist for personalised advice. Individual results may vary.
When someone in your family has hearing difficulties, communication changes for everyone. With a few simple adjustments, you can make conversations easier and more enjoyable for all.
Get Their Attention First
Before starting to speak, get the person’s attention. Say their name, make eye contact, or gently tap their shoulder. This gives them a chance to focus on you before you begin.
Starting to talk while walking away, from another room, or while they’re focused on something else means they’ll miss the beginning of what you’re saying.
It might feel different at first, but it quickly becomes habit. And it makes conversations much more successful.
Face Them When Speaking
Make sure your face is visible and well-lit. We all use lip movements and facial expressions to help understand speech – people with hearing difficulties rely on these cues even more.
Avoid covering your mouth while speaking. And try not to talk while eating, chewing gum, or doing other things that obscure your mouth.
Position yourself so light falls on your face rather than behind you. Backlighting makes it harder to see facial expressions and lip movements.
Speak Clearly, Not Louder
Shouting actually distorts speech and makes it harder to understand. Instead, speak clearly at a normal pace. Slightly slower can help, but overly slow speech is also harder to follow.
Enunciate your words clearly without exaggerating. Try to speak naturally – just more deliberately.
If you need to repeat something, try rephrasing rather than just saying the same words louder. Different words might be clearer.
Reduce Background Noise
Turn off the TV, radio, or music when having a conversation. Background noise makes it much harder to separate speech from other sounds.
Move to a quieter room for important conversations. Close windows if there’s traffic noise. These small changes make a big difference.
In restaurants or social gatherings, find a quieter corner or step away from the crowd for important chats.
Be Patient and Understanding
Listening with hearing difficulties is mentally tiring. If your family member seems exhausted after social events, that’s completely normal.
Don’t say “never mind” or “it doesn’t matter” when asked to repeat something. This can feel dismissive and isolating.
Include them in conversations and activities. With a little adjustment, communication can work well for everyone.
Key Takeaways
- Get attention before starting to speak
- Face the person with good lighting on your face
- Speak clearly at a normal volume – don’t shout
- Reduce background noise during conversations
- Rephrase rather than just repeating if not understood
Would your family benefit from communication strategies training? We offer sessions for people with hearing difficulties and their families.