Helping Loved Ones with Hearing Loss

Hearing loss affects around 466 million people worldwide—approximately 48 million in the United States alone. It is likely that you have a friend or family member that is living with some degree of hearing loss, as more than 44 million people ages 20 and older are projected to have “clinically meaningful” hearing loss by 2020 and that number is expected to double by 2060, according to a study published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.

The authors note that the projected increase in hearing loss is largely due to the aging population and the need for affordable treatment options and access to hearing health care professionals. And while hearing aids, assistive devices, and cochlear implants are more advanced than ever at working to correct disabling hearing loss, the element of human connection is irreplaceable. You can advocate for better understanding, quell conversation frustrations, and help a friend or family member with hearing loss feel comfortable in social settings. Here are a few tips you can use:

Make sure you have their attention

Before speaking to someone, make sure you have their attention. This can be done with a gentle touch or by making eye contact, especially if they are busy with another task. You can also say their name and wait for them to look at you before speaking, which ensures that you have their attention. This becomes an opportunity for them to eliminate or reduce any background noise from a television or household appliance before you start speaking.

Speak clearly

Speaking clearly—and not louder—is very important. Enunciating each syllable is often more helpful than shouting. The brain is processing speech and language recognition in a new way so if a loved one has asked you to repeat yourself, try to use a different word or phrase.

“Restating and rewording is a good communication strategy,” agrees Jason Wigand, an audiologist, assistant professor and clinical director of the cochlear implant program at the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Facing the person is also helpful in case they use lipreading in discussion.

Get a little closer

Reduce the distance between you and the listener whenever possible. This is especially true of louder spaces, like restaurants, parties or anywhere there is a great deal of environmental noise. In conversation, position yourself face-to-face, take a closer seat at a table, or make sure your body language is clear in order to help the person with whom you are speaking. Avoid calling from another room or shouting from large distances. Instead, walk to them and speak at a normal volume.

Try to relax

When communication becomes challenging, take a deep breath. Count to ten if necessary. It is common to forget how hard the ears and brain are working when we are communicating. If you do not understand someone, know that you can address it and move forward, as opposed to letting anger consume you and stifle the conversation.

Stay away from one-word responses

People using hearing aids are processing a lot of sound information differently than people with normal hearing. It can be difficult to tune out unnecessary information for the sake of clarity. However, conversation is a time when more information can be helpful.

The single-word answer “yes” can sound strangely similar to the single-word answer “no.” If you instead reply, “Yes, I did,” or “No, I did not,” that gives them more helpful information in the form of words and syllables. The listener can then use that information contextually and not feel confused by brevity.

Communicating with Hearing Loss 

If you are a person with normal hearing, you can also be aware of the needs of friends and family living hearing loss. The Hearing Loss Association of America has some communication tips—some of which we have touched on—sure to help you communicate better with friends and family in large group settings or one-on-one:

• When the audio is poor, emphasize any visual aspect to help put things into context.
• Get the listener’s attention first. Face the person or audience directly. Spotlight your face without backlighting. Avoid noisy environments and ask what you can do to facilitate communication.
• Do not shout, but speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Don’t cover your mouth, chew gum or food, or smoke while talking. Use gestures and facial expressions when appropriate as someone could also be paying attention to your body language.
• Establish empathy. If the response seems slow, be patient. Remain positive and relaxed.

If you’ve experienced changes in your hearing or find that communication is more difficult than before, it may be time for a hearing test. Look for a hearing health specialist in your area and schedule an appointment to seek treatment. Treating hearing loss brings significant benefits to your health and well-being – and it improves communication in your daily life!