9 Strategies for Communication

9 STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATION

Communication is our primary means of connecting and interacting with others; for many people this connection is one of the most important facets of their lives.

The strategies on this page may appear obvious and to be "good old common sense" but don't be fooled. Many with hearing loss report that most people do not use these strategies and if asked to do so remember them for about 30 seconds before reverting back to their old ways.

Hearing loss can result in loneliness and isolation. By using these strategies you may be able to keep the person with a hearing loss engaged, connected and interested in life thereby lessening the effects of their hearing loss.

Get the person's attention
before you start talking
Reduce the distance between
yourself and the person
you are talking to; three to six
feet is ideal
Use proper lighting. Don't
have the light shining directly
into the eyes of the person you
are talking to
Ensure that your mouth
and face are visible. Don't turn
your head away when talking as
visual information from the lips
and face is important

Speak slowly and clearly
but don't shout or exaggerate
your lip movements
Reprase if necessary. Using
different words is another way
to make yourself understood
When writing or texting
back and forth, keep your words
simple and sentences short
When using an interpreter,
speak directly to the Deaf person
Use pantomine, body language,
facial expressions to aid
communication

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Get the person's attention before you start talking

Reduce the distance between yourself and the person you are talking to; three to six feet is ideal

Use proper lighting. Don't have the light shining directly into the eyes of the person you are talking to

Ensure that your mouth and face are visible. Don't turn your head away when talking as visual information from the lips and face is important

Speak slowly and clearly but don't shout or exaggerate your lip movements

Reprase if necessary. Using different words is another way to make yourself understood

When writing or texting back and forth, keep your words simple and sentences short

When using an interpreter, speak directly to the Deaf person

Use pantomine, body language, facial expressions to aid communication

Get the person's attention
before you start talking

Reduce the distance between
yourself and the person
you are talking to; three to six
feet is ideal

Use proper lighting. Don't
have the light shining directly
into the eyes of the person you
are talking to

Ensure that your mouth
and face are visible. Don't turn
your head away when talking as
visual information from the lips
and face is important

Speak slowly and clearly
but don't shout or exaggerate
your lip movements

Reprase if necessary. Using
different words is another way
to make yourself understood

When writing or texting
back and forth, keep your words
simple and sentences short

When using an interpreter,
speak directly to the Deaf person

Use pantomine, body language,
facial expressions to aid
communication