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Tips for Communicating
with Hearing Impaired People
(Suggestions for Family Members and Friends)
Speech should be clear and distinct. Some people
may need to slow down a little but if speech is too
slow it can be even more difcult to understand.
· Do not shout! Many people with hearing
impairment are very sensitive to loud sounds.
· If you are having difculty being understood,
rephrase the statement rather than repeating
the same words several times.
· Do not try to have a conversation from another
room or with your back turned. Talk face to face!
· Avoid eating, drinking or smoking while talking
and keep your hands away from your face.
· Minimize background noise – turn off the TV or
radio or move to a quiet area for conversation.
· Try to give some warning when the topic changes
during group conversations – it is much easier to
follow the conversation when you know what is
being discussed.
· Ensure there is good light on your face – the
eyes and ears work best together for maximum
understanding of speech.
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