Effective Communication with Individuals with Hearing Impairments: A Guide

Most people with hearing impairments move easily through the world. We can all enjoy good communication if we think a moment before speaking.

Things You'll Need

• American Sign Language Video
• Hearing Aids
• Hearing-impaired Alerting Systems
• Pencils Or Pens
• Notebooks
• American Sign Language Computer Program
• Amplified Telephones
• Text Telephone

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Instructions

• 1

  Relax and smile. People with a hearing impairment want to make communication easier.

• 2

  Touch a person with a hearing impairment lightly on the arm or shoulder to attract his or her attention.

• 3

  Face the person.

• 4

  Look and speak directly at the hearing-impaired person even if a signing interpreter is present.

• 5

  Realize noisy or distracting environments can hinder communication.

• 6

  Remember many hearing-impaired people rely on speech-reading to help understand what is being said.

• 7

  Shouting or speaking with exaggerated slowness confuses speech-reading.

• 8

  Do nothing that will distort your speech, such as eating, chewing gum or smoking.

• 9

  Pay attention to the hearing-impaired person's reactions. A puzzled look might mean you need to clarify or repeat your remark.

• 10

  Rephrase any remark that is misunderstood.