We’ve rounded up some helpful tips on navigating hearing loss with your friends and family.
It’s important to create a supportive environment that helps your friends or family members with hearing loss know that they are understood and included. Whether it’s learning to navigate new technology or adjusting your communication style, your support makes a world of difference. Here are some helpful tips on navigating hearing loss with your friends and family.
Have an Open Dialog About Hearing Loss
One of the most important steps you can take is to have an open and honest conversation about your friend or family member’s hearing loss. Understand that talking about hearing loss is a sensitive topic, so approach the conversation with empathy and ask what you can do to be supportive.
During the discussion, encourage one another to share each other’s feelings and experiences. Ask how they prefer to communicate and whether their communication preferences have changed. Some people with hearing loss may prefer face-to-face conversations to be able to read lips and facial cues, while others may benefit from written communication or text messaging. By asking and listening to their needs, you can better adapt your interactions to make communication smoother for both of you.
Patience and Understanding with One Another
Understanding what’s needed makes a huge difference when supporting someone with hearing loss. Positioning yourself to face one another or selecting well-lit environments, for example, are small actions you can incorporate into every interaction. In some cases, repeating yourself or rephrasing your statements may be helpful. Understanding this is part of the process can put everyone at ease, reducing the anxiety that often comes with miscommunication.
It’s also helpful to recognize that hearing loss can be exhausting. The effort to follow conversations can lead to listening fatigue, so your friend or family member may need breaks from conversations or noisy environments. Understanding these challenges will help you offer the support they need.
Look Up Resources and Educate Yourself
Taking the time to educate yourself about hearing loss can empower you to be a better source of support. Research resources on hearing loss, its causes, and the available treatments or aids that can improve communication. Understanding hearing loss better may help you empathize with your friend or family member’s experience and give you the tools to assist them more effectively.
There are many resources available, such as hearing loss organizations, online forums, and informational websites (like the CapTel blog) that provide valuable insights into living with hearing loss. These resources can also guide you in finding support groups, which can be a valuable source of advice and encouragement.
Learn About Assistive Technologies
So many devices are available to help people with hearing loss navigate communication more easily. You may want to familiarize yourself with types of assistive technology, such as hearing aids, captioned phones, and personal amplifiers. The great part about these devices is that they benefit both of you.
For example, if a family member sets the volume louder on their TV than others are comfortable with, you may want to recommend a device that provides personal sound amplification. That way, you can watch TV together at a comfortable volume for both of you.
Another great example is the CapTel phone, which shows captions of phone conversations in real time. This kind of device benefits you as well as your friend or family member because it allows you to have phone conversations knowing they will catch every word.
While word-of-mouth is a great way to recommend solutions, it’s important to respect each individual’s choices about the devices and technology that they select for themselves.
Be Mindful of the Environment
When communicating with someone with hearing loss, it’s important to be mindful of the environment. Background noise, poor lighting, and other distractions can make it difficult to follow a conversation. Whenever possible, try to create an environment that is conducive to clear communication.
This might mean turning off the TV or music during conversations, ensuring that the room is well-lit so that you can see each other’s faces, or choosing quieter locations when going out together. Small changes like these can significantly improve the ability to engage in conversations and feel more connected to one another.
Supporting friends and family members with hearing loss is very easy with understanding, patience, and a willingness to adapt and learn about new tools and technology. For more helpful hearing tips, visit the CapTel blog.
