Frequently Asked Questions

If a member of your family has a hearing loss. Here are some suggestions that may help you and your family member communicate better.

Should I shout?

Don't shout, as this distorts your voice. Face your family member and talk in a normal or slightly louder speaking voice.

Can people with hearing loss tell the direction of sound?

Some hearing-impaired people cannot tell the direction of a sound or voice. This is especially true when the two ears are very different or not balanced. When your family member calls you and says "Where are you?" state the specific room instead of answering "here".

How should I repeat myself when I am not understood?

A hearing-impaired person has difficulty in word understanding. Your voice may be audible, but separate words may sound blurred. Rhyming words such as: cat/cap, bread/thread, etc. are extremely difficult to distinguish. When your family member does not understand you the first time you say something, do not repeat the same words. Instead, rephrase the sentence so that you may be more easily understood.

How does hearing loss affect the volume of sound?

A hearing loss changes the relative loudness of sound. Things that are soft to you may not be heard by your family member. Sounds that are comfortable to you may be soft for your family member. Loud or sudden noises, however, may be more uncomfortable or unsettling than for you.

Why does hearing loss cause one to speak louder?

Hearing loss can make it difficult for your family member to judge the volume of his/her own voice. Let your family member know when their voice may be too loud or too soft.

How do room acoustics affect someone with hearing loss?

Some rooms have better acoustics than others. Empty rooms with hard walls may cause speech to echo. Your family member also may have difficulty when out-of-doors, where the sound is dispersed in the air or wind noise affects the use of hearing aids.

Do fatigue or illness affect hearing?

Your family member may not hear as well as usual when tired or ill. This is because it may be difficult to put as much effort into attempting to understand speech.

What about background noise?

Background noise almost always interferes with the understanding of speech. For people with hearing loss, it probably is the most difficult situation. Try to reduce the level of avoidable background noise when conversing.

What should I do about background noise?

Whenever possible, try to reduce background noise. This will help you to hear speakers more clearly with the least amount of strain. For instance, ask to be seated in a quiet part of a restaurant. At home, turn the TV down when you are having a conversation because it will only be serving as background noise.

Is lip reading useful?

In a word, yes! As we watch the faces of people who we are speaking with, we can see many important cues. Watch for facial cues, expressions, and gestures that will cue you to the speaker's mood. Your eyes will help you to fill in the messages that you cannot clearly hear. Keep the room well lit and have good lighting on the speaker's face. Know the topic of conversation. If you can pick up a few words in each sentence, you may be able to fill in the blanks. When you become "lost" in group conversations, try to concentrate on one person who seems to be assuming the majority of the dialogue. You will have more difficulty with lip reading if speakers have a cigarette, pipe, or food in their mouth. You may have to ask them to remove the offending article.

How about speaking to someone who is in another room?

Do not try to communicate with a person who is in a different room. The distance reduces the loudness of the message. Distance reduces the softer high-frequency consonants that carry the major portion of the meaning. Remember to get the persons attention before you begin talking, and make sure they can see your mouth.

Where should I sit in public speaking events or theaters?

In public-speaking situations or in places of worship, try to sit in the front of the room or near the loudspeakers. If one ear is better than the other, sit with your better ear facing the speaker. Many theaters and other venues now have assistive listening devices available that are very helpful. Ask at the box office. You will be able to adjust the volume for your specific hearing loss and probably will do better than with your hearing aids.

Are there any other things I should consider?

If you cannot understand what is said to you, ask the speaker to rephrase rather than just repeat the message. You can also paraphrase the parts of the message that you actually heard instead of only saying "what?" . Try to relax while you are speaking with others. Of course this is usually easier said than done. But if you are tense or if you are trying too hard, your ability to understand speech will become more difficult. Be sure to let your family know how they can help you by asking them to:

• Speak in a normal tone of voice and do not over-articulate.
• Get your attention, and look directly at you.
• Do not speak to you from another room.
• Rephrase messages if repetition is required.