They will likely find these strategies helpful when talking with anyone, not just someone with hearing loss! Hearing Aids You may need to remind people you speak with regularly the best ways to communicate with you. If you are using hearing aids and paying attention, you are fulfilling your end of the effort to communicate effectively, and you can feel good about that! Keep in mind that communication habits are hard to change. Yes, many people mumble, speak too fast, cover their mouths, and/or drop the volume of their voices at the end of sentences. It is not uncommon to misunderstand what someone says if your attention is on something else, like an email or a TV show. Remind people to get your attention first by saying your name or tapping you on the shoulder so you can be ready to listen. They should look at you when speaking and not talk from behind you or another room.Īttention is key. Tell your family, coworkers, doctors, and friends that you communicate most easily if you can see their face. Your audiologist can help you with these strategies.įace the person. Anticipate difficult listening situations and think about your communication strategy. You might choose quieter restaurants with soft furnishings and high-back booths, move the social gathering out of the kitchen into the carpeted den, or mute TV and music to have a conversation. Background noise (music, people talking, dishes clanking, television, etc) can create greater difficulty for people with hearing loss and/or hearing aids to understand speech. One way to overcome this is to explain that you are really interested in hearing what they have to say and that you would like to use a cue, like tapping your ear or your mouth, to remind them of the best ways to communicate with you. They may forget to speak in a manner helpful to you. Your difficulty hearing and likely your hearing aids are not visible to the people you converse with. Ask the person talking to slow down and take breaks between thoughts (but not draaaLet them know when there is trouble. If the speaker mumbles or speaks in a quiet voice, ask them to please speak more clearly or louder. ![]() Be specific about what you did and did not understand. Your audiologist will also work with you on your communication strategies including, but not limited to:Īvoid saying “What?” or “Huh?” Instead, try to make a specific clarification request. You may already use some ALDs such as Bluetooth streaming, TV headsets, and closed captions! Communication Tips ![]() Alerting devices (e.g., flashing doorbell ringer, vibrating alarm clock).Many people with hearing loss depend on or can benefit from some kind of ALD to help them develop or maintain a comfortable level of independence in their daily lives.ĪLDs vary depending on the situation and the hearing difficulty. In your aural rehabilitation plan, treatment options for hearing loss may include:Īssistive listening devices (ALDs) are devices used with or without hearing aids, bone-anchored implants, and cochlear implants to make sounds more accessible to people with varying degrees of hearing impairment. What Recommendations Can I Expect from an Audiologist? Depending on the aural rehabilitation plan, your audiologist will likely be able to provide the necessary services. ![]() After your evaluation, your audiologist may suggest aural rehabilitation. Your first step, if you notice or suspect a change in your ability to understand conversation, is a comprehensive diagnostic hearing evaluation by an audiologist. Who Provides Aural Rehabilitation Services? If you often feel frustrated when trying to listen, aural rehabilitation may be able to help. If you find yourself withdrawing from activities that you used to enjoy because it is too hard to hear or stay involved in conversations, aural rehabilitation may be of benefit. Who Is a Candidate for Aural Rehabilitation?Īny individual with hearing loss that is noticing difficulty communicating may be a good candidate for aural rehabilitation.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |