A Crash Course for Newly Deafened

Communication Strategies for Late-deafened People


1. Use whatever works to help you understand.
a. Experiment with different techniques for both the speaker and the listener.
b. Do more of what works and less of whatever does not work.

2. Pick the best spot to communicate by avoiding areas that are poorly lit and very busy.
a. Turn off the television. If you have some residual hearing, avoid extra noises such as the dishwasher or other's conversations.
b. Try to position yourself so that the window or light is behind you. That allows your companion's face to be well lit, and you do not have the fatigue of looking toward the light while you watch what they are saying. You will also avoid the distractions of what is going on outside the window.

3. Keep using your voice if that works for you.
a. Others will understand you more easily if you keep speaking.
b. If you choose to stop speaking, you may lose your ability to speak.
c. Because you cannot hear your own voice to modulate it, ask others to let you know when you speak too loud or too soft. If you are open about it, others will be comfortable helping you.

4. Consider learning to sign.
a. American Sign Language is a beautiful, full language and may open the doors of communication and interpretation for you.
b. Have people with whom you are close take classes with you so you will have someone to practice with.

5. Anticipate difficult situations and plan to minimize problems.
a. If you know it is going to be a crowded situation, look for the calmest area when you arrive.
b. Be prepared by thinking about what the topics of conversations might be - keep up on current events, for example.
c. Review names before going so they are easier to understand.

6. Tell others how to talk to you best.
a. For example: "Please speak just a little more slowly" or
b. "Please raise your voice a little" helps the speaker know exactly what you need.
c. Model clear speech (naturally slower with words clearly formed) so others know the way you would like them to speak to you.

7. Provide feedback to speakers about how well they are communicating.
a. Remind them if they forget.
b. Be sure to thank them when they remember.

8. Provide feedback of what you understand or fail to understand.
a. It is easier to verify what you think you heard or understood than to ask someone to repeat everything. "What time do you want to meet Thursday?" lets them know what you need.
b. Learn to verify and clarify what you have understood.

9. Ask for written clues of key words, if needed.
a. You can avoid confusion by having them write down instructions, addresses and phone numbers, etc.
b. If you are confused and think the topic has changed, ask for a quick note.
c. Ask someone to be your communication assistant to stand beside you and write names, key words and important details on a paper for you.

10. DO NOT BLUFF.
a. You risk embarrassment and misunderstandings when you are not honest about your hearing loss.
b. You also rob yourself of truly being part of the discussion and the group.

 11. Arrange for frequent breaks if discussions or meetings are long.
a. Take a break during parties to relieve the stress of constant concentration.

12. Try not to interrupt too often.
a. If you keep interrupting, you may frustrate or antagonize the speaker.
b. If you are unable to understand what is being said, stop them right away (courteously, of course) to explain what you need to understand.
c. If you ask them to speak slower and they keep forgetting (and they will), tell them you will use a palm-down signal to remind them to stay slow. This allows the natural flow to continue.

13. Set realistic goals about what you can expect to understand.



Now for the Other Side



Tips for Communicating with a Late-deafened Person


1. Lip reading is a learned skill and is limited when used alone.
- Only about 30% of sounds can be determined by lip reading.
- You must do more than just speak if you are to be understood.

 2. Get the person's attention before you communicate.
- You can avoid frustration and reduce the need to repeat things by touching their arm, knocking on the table, flashing the lights or waving your hand; then wait for a response.
- Be sure they are looking at you before you begin to speak

3. Keep your mouth visible.
- Do not have objects in your mouth such as gum, cigarettes, or food.
- Avoid putting a hand or paper in front of your mouth.
- If you wear a mustache, consider trimming it so your lips can be seen easily.

4. Speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
- The best distance for communication is three to six feet.
- If you speak at a slow-to-normal rate and pause between sentences, you will give the listener time to catch up. (Their mind must process a lot of clues to make up for what they do not hear.)
- Encourage questions and clarifications.

 5. Use facial expression and gestures.
- These help fill in the blanks and add more information.
- Consider learning sign language if your friend or family member starts learning it.

6. Give clues when changing the subject.
- Tell the listener what you are talking about.
- Agree on a gesture or sign that indicates you are starting a new topic.

7. Rephrase when you are not understood.
- If one or two words keep tripping someone up, try using a different word.
- For example, rephrase "Do you want a drink?" to "Would you like some water?"

8. Do not shout.
- Shouting makes you look and sound angry.
- It actually distorts the sound signal.
- It is better to make sure the listener can see you.
- If there is some residual hearing, it may help to speak slightly louder than normal, but not as loud as a shout.
- If the hearing is gone, shouting will not bring it back.

9. Avoid busy background situations.
- Keep the competition to a minimum for their attention. If the late-deafened person has some residual hearing, consider background noise as well as background visuals (TV, dishwasher, music, etc.).
- Ask the host for the quietest table in the restaurant, away from the traffic patterns.
- Consider going places during off-hours to avoid the crowds (dinner at 4:30 or 8:30, for example).

 10. Be patient, positive and relaxed.
- It may take more time to learn how best to talk with someone who has lost their hearing - you are both learning how to handle this. Experiment a little.
- Use humor and smiles.
- Ask how you can help or what might work better.

 11. Talk TO the deafened person, not ABOUT him or her to their partner. Remember that a hearing partner does not need to see your face to understand.

12. A computer or laptop can be used when a lot of information needs to be exchanged.
- Type as much or as little as is needed; you determine if it needs to be every word.
- Experiment with voice recognition software for the family and closest friends to put captions on your conversations.

 13. Always have paper and pencil handy.
- Use it to help with key words, names, numbers - not sentences.
- Draw a picture to help communicate.

 14. Realize that a deafened person cannot hear his or her own voice.
- They may need your help to find the right volume.

 15. Use email more.
- deafness disappears on email.