Amplification cannot clarify 100% of conversations. Hearing aids cannot remove a hearing loss. There is, however, a variety of things you can do to supplement loss of hearing and improve understanding.
- Visual cues aid in receiving the auditory message
Communicate with good lighting
Utilize lipreading, facial expressions and gestures
- Reducing background noise will help clarify important information.
Pause a television when holding a competing conversation
Do not dine out during the busiest times and request a more isolated area of a restaurant. A corner seat at a corner table will remove noise directly behind you, which may improve understanding.
- When attending a group event with a friend or family member, set up a system of cues to help you follow the conversation. For example, when the topic is changed, when the speaker changes or when you are expected to respond
- Anticipate the conversation that is likely to take place in the environment you will be attending. If it’s a doctor’s appointment, you will hear the questions: what is your name, who is your doctor, what time is your appointment, what insurance do you have,… Look in the mirror when you say these words to become familiar with the lip movements.
- Simply asking “What” is going to get you the same thing again. If you didn’t understand it the first time, a repeat of the same words is useless. Tailor your question to get the information missed or just one piece of information at a time.
Communication strategies take practice, time and patience. Keep a smile on your face!