What is Hearing Loss?
Indications of Hearing Loss:
- Most people you talk to seem to mumble.
- People around you tell you that you talk too loud.
- Others tell you that the TV or radio is too loud.
- You don't hear the sounds you used to.
If you can identify with any of the above, please talk to your family doctor or an audiologist about a hearing test.
- How to talk to someone with a hearing loss:
- Talk clearly.
- Slow down your speech, but don't talk to them like a child.
- Don't cover your mouth when speaking to a hard-of-hearing person.
- When you talk, project your voice but don't shout.
- Look at the hard-of-hearing person when speaking to them.
How to communicate with someone who is deaf:
If you wish to talk to someone who is deaf, the easiest way is to use a trained interpreter. If an interpreter is not available, here are a few ideas:
- Some people who become deaf later in life can read lips. Try talking to the person distinctly - look at the person and don't cover your mouth when speaking to them.
- You can try writing down your message with a pencil and paper and relaying back and forth with the deaf person.
- If a TTY (teletypewriter) is available, you can try typing back and forth.
For more information on communication or hearing loss for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons, refer to our Links section for organizations that assist special needs.