Communication skills when working with people with a hearing loss

Martin Lawlor

2

Get their attention

Before you start to speak ensure you are in the same room as the person and you have their full

attention

3

Don’t cover your mouth

Speak clearly, not too slowly and use normal lip movements, natural facial expressions and gestures.

4

Don’t shout

Keep your voice at a normal level. It is uncomfortable for hearing aid users and it looks

aggressive.

5

Don’t speak too fast

If someone doesn’t understand what your saying, try saying it in a different way

and slow down.

6

Face the person

Always turn and face the person, this helps them pick up any visual clues you might

give them.

7

Find a suitable place to talk, with good lighting, away from noise and distractions.

Don’t turn away while speaking

8

Use plain language and don’t waffle

Get to the point

9

• Get the persons attention• Don’t cover your mouth• Speak clearly• Don’t mumble• Don’t shout• Pick a good place to talk• Get to the point

Remember

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• Deaf or hard of hearing can use the service• Operator controlled• Available any time• Free to use (operated by RNID)• Requires text/screen phone• Conversation is typed in real time by operator• Operator can read out messages for caller if

someone does not have a text phone

Typetalk & TextDirect

11

Current hearing aids

• Batteries last approx 2 weeks• To turn it off open the battery

compartment• The squealing noise means the ear

mould is not fitted properly or there is a build up of wax

• If not working change the battery and test by cupping it in your hands this should make it squeal

Any questions?

Visual & Hearing Impairment Team

Tel: 024 7678 5250

Email: visual&hearing.impairment@coventry.gov.uk

Visual & Hearing Impairment Service

Visual & Hearing Impairment Team

Faseman House

75 Faseman Avenue

Tile Hill

Coventry

Tel: 7678 5250

Email: Visual&Hearing.impairment@coventry.

gov.uk

Deaf Awareness Quiz

Deaf people follow better if you raise your voice and shout?

1. True

2. False

All deaf children have deaf parents

1. True

2. False

Sign language is international

1. True

2. False

If you don’t know sign language, what is the best way

to communicate?

1. Mouthing words

2. Shouting

3. Writing down words

4. Using an interpreter

Hearing aids restore hearing to normal

1. True

2. False

3. Depends on the hearing aid

Deaf people take a different driving test to hearing people

1. True

2. False

3. Only in Scotland

4. In England and Wales

There are hearing dogs for the deaf just like there are guide

dogs for the blind

1. True

2. False

All deaf people can lip read

1. True

2. False

You know when a deaf person has understood you because

they nod in agreement

1. True

2. False

3. Maybe

Can a deaf person use a telephone?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Depends on the phone