Dr. Navid Taghvaei has been a resident of Arizona since 1988. He conducts very complex individual and group technical training courses and activities involving new and existing developments in the areas of audiology, products, software, and technology. Dr. Taghvaei has extensive clinical experience in pediatric and adult hearing instrument and cochlear implant fitting, programming, and rehabilitation.

Stay in the same room

Communicating with your family from a nearby room can be a difficult habit to break. When something comes to mind, we can quickly blurt out that thought, question, or request. However, space makes an incredible difference in the ability to hear. Particularly for someone with hearing loss, calling across a distance or from another room can make it impossible to understand what was said. Wait until you are in the same room with a person with hearing loss before you begin speaking.

Show your face

Another helpful tool is to try to speak face-to-face whenever possible. Even within the same room, it can help see a person’s face move to understand what is said. Although a person with hearing loss may not realize it, “reading lips” is a subconscious action, using visual cues to fill in understanding gaps. Speaking face-to-face provides essential context for a person with hearing loss.

Rephrase, don’t repeat

If your loved one cannot understand what you said even in the best conditions, try to find another way to say it. It can be tempting to simply restate your idea repeatedly. Still, that simple rephrasing can give context clues that fill in the gaps in understanding.

Try to avoid one-word answers, as well. Although they sound pretty different for people with accessible hearing, it can be difficult for a person with hearing loss to distinguish the words “yes” and “no.”

Slow and steady

One of the best things you can do for your loved one with hearing loss is to take it slow when you are speaking. You don’t want to talk down to them, of course. Don’t simplify your language as if you were speaking to a child or an unintelligent person. Instead, simply add pauses here and there to break up your speech. If you run together all of your words, it can be tough to tell where one ends and the next one begins. Add a few pauses to clarify your language. A person with hearing loss will have a better time understanding each individual word.

Patience is a virtue

Those with hearing loss can become frustrated and even angry at their inability to understand everything. However, sometimes that frustration with one’s own limitations can be turned around and focused on the person who is speaking instead. If you can sense frustration on the part of your family member, remain patient. The calmer you remain, the easier it will be for your family member to do so, as well.

Encourage your loved one to treat their hearing loss

One of the best things you can do for a person with hearing loss to communicate better is seeking assistance. By simply seeking the consultation and guidance of a hearing health professional, you can be sure that help is on the way for your loved one.

Of course, this won’t be easy. Those with hearing loss generally wait up to 7 years before they agree to treat their hearing loss. But any headway you might do wonders for the future of your loved one’s hearing health.

Fortunately, we’re here to help! We take the time to learn about your loved one’s individual needs, including lifestyle features that make hearing difficult, a range of hearing aids will be available to choose from. Getting assistance with hearing loss is a crucial piece of the communication puzzle, so don’t delay. The sooner you assist your family member in making an appointment for a hearing test, the sooner you will be communicating efficiently. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Improving Communication with Your Family