How can I communicate with hearing impaired person?

Question

How can I communicate with hearing impaired person?

Follow

Share

38 Answers

My Mom lives in A.L. and is quite hard of hearing, even with her hearing aids in. Her big complaint is about being in bigger places, like the dining room or an activity with a lot of people there. She says she hears better when visiting with only 1 or 2 people at a time, in a smaller, quieter space. I find that one thing I do, is say her name...(or another residents, if talking to them...) and then say, " Can you hear me?"....along with the other techniques you already use... looking directly at them etc. Then, I talk. Also, talk SLOWER. I am 72 now and have slight hearing loss in only one ear, and I can tell you, that many people these days, in public situations seem to talk so fast....I have to ask them to repeat or slow down! Also, be aware that many in a facility already have some dementia or Alzheimer's just because of their advanced age....and when the brain doesn't send signals around right, that also makes it harder to communicate....and even if a person appears to be social 'with it' just fine, they could still be having this brain 'slow down' happening. Another suggestion, if you are friends with people that you are regularly going to want to communicate with, you can find out which is their 'best' ear or 'worst' ear. For ex. my Mom has only 10% hearing in her right ear, and 45% in her left ear, before the hearing age corrections, so even with the best aids and correction in her right ear, she can only get to 40% correction. So I sit and talk to her on her left side, where she has much better hearing. And with some hearing aids, sometimes, it better NOT to talk so much louder, but to lean in towards the ear and then speak just a little bit harder. You deserve much blessings for being willing to work so hard to keep communications going!!

Helpful Answer (3)

Report

I use hand movements like the ones used for training dogs. For Hubby's hearing aids and dentures, I point. I try to keep the hand signals to a minimum so it's not too much information.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

My father was nearly deaf. We bought a small whiteboard that was easy to handle. His eyes were not so good, so we wrote large so he could see it. The message could be erased, so there wasn't any paper to throw away. The only inconvenience to you would be to have a way to carry it and a writing pen with you when you work. You can get the small white boards at any Wal-Mart-like store in the office/school supply section.

Helpful Answer (3)

Report

I've used a spiral bound notebook, in part b/c it will contain "conversations" with different people and sometimes could be used as a reference if the same issue arises again. I used to carry it with me whenever I visited my father when he was on a ventilator and couldn't speak unless the respiratory therapist made some adjustments to his tube.

I also had a word/picture sheet I created so he could just point. Items were basic ones such as "water", "cold", "bathroom", etc. Words were in large print, in a grid, so pointing to one would be easy and mistaking his intentions would be minimized.

I also used a clipboard, as generally there's not much support for writing in a hospital bed. Wobbling notebooks are certainly not encouraging.

If you interact with several hearing impaired people on a regular basis, bring a number of different colored pens, the fat ones with a little rubber grip so they're easier to hold, or as TMH suggests, a Sharpie; they're generally fat and easier for an older person to hold onto. You might wrap some white medical tape around the portion of the pen that would be held to add some additional traction for holding.

If you buy them in a set (and they're on sale now b/c of seasonal school sales), you can let the different people choose their own color, add their name with medical tape, and just keep that pen especially for them. That gives them a sense of personalization, and sometimes of feeling special.

There are also the colored pens that are thinner, but in a wider array of colors, sometimes a few dozen in a set. This allows more people to communicate with you, and each can feel as if he/she has a personal color of his/her own. Just a little personalization for people who could use a bit of the "reach out and touch someone" approach.

This is an interesting question, one I don't recall seeing here before, and a very appropriate one. In fact, reading the other posts has given me some ideas for my own use, so thanks, everyone!

Helpful Answer (6)

Report

My mom is totally deaf and does not sign. I would keep a pad with you and write the important words down with a Sharpie. Also, don't make your sentences too long or complicated. As you know, it's not the intelligence of the people that's at issue. They are having trouble hearing you. Also, don't forget to point, if it will help you get across the subject of your conversation. Pointing stops being rude when you are dealing with the hearing impaired or the deaf. Finally, if you are saying yes or no, make sure your head gestures accompany your words. I admire you for working to communicate better with the hearing impaired, and hope this helps.

Helpful Answer (5)

Report

Thank you for trying. Some of us were required to learn to speak loudly because of our work. (Now my 44-year-old son keeps saying, "Don't talk so loud Mom.") Now let me say something from the "other side." As a moderately hearing impaired elder, I find most people cannot change their way of speaking in spite of their good intentions. I am accustomed to that. I have been accused since young adulthood of "snubbing" people who addressed me from a distance. (I didn't hear them.) I tell people on the other side of the table once or twice that I can't hear them, but then I let it go. Occasionally I'll give a gentle reminder, but I don't let it irritate me. "Just reminding you that I can't hear." [smile] NOW add on a number of years and a little more mental confusion... well, you get the idea. It's a bit of a lost cause. Congratulations to you for making the effort. Just keep it gentle. And it's not always the ear that's the culprit... sounds can get mixed up in the mind. I agree... watch how the staff handle it (when they're successful.) Get the person's attention first. If possible, don't approach from behind. Use a light touch if appropriate. Be face-to-face... articulate... we automatically use your mouth movements to help understand. Smile.)

Helpful Answer (5)

Report

My mom is hearing impaired and she says if you address her by name first it helps as she knows you are talking to her!

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

Hi, what a good topic and a kind one, as well. You may do this already, but be sure to use the most simple words possible. It may help to engage them first with hello's and niceties to get them 'going'... and to measure their ability or willingness to communicate. When the fellow was stuck staring at the machine, I think you were right to call a staff member. Did you stay to see what they did with him? Maybe you could ask to help or accompany the staff members in some of the more social tasks they have.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

1 2

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

How can I communicate with hearing impaired person?

38 Answers

Recent Questions

Popular Questions

Related Questions