How the Family Can Help?

Speak to the hearing aid user’s face to be sure to get the persons attention before you start speaking.

Speak normally… naturally… slowly and distinctly – Learn to speak slower rather than louder.

If the hearing aid user has difficulty understanding, find a different way of saying the same thing, rather than repeating the original words over and over.

Be patient with the hearing aid user – your support and encouragement are just as important as the hearing aid itself.

One element of the solution may be a hearing aid. The device provides assistance primarily by amplifying sounds and providing a greater range of hearing to the deficient auditory system. But what of the emotional and psychological needs? There is the often-frustrating task of relearning how to listen – a skill that may have all but vanished.

Approximately one tenth of the population suffers from some degree of hearing loss. The number is so large that either directly or indirectly each of us is affected.

There are times when hearing may be more difficult than usual for a hearing aid user. They often dont hear as well or understand as easily when tired or ill. These are the times when patience and clear speech are particularly important.

Background noise can be a distraction too. The hearing aid user is learning how to sort out important sounds from the backgrounda difficult task for anyone.

Try to speak to the hearing aid user’s face. Your eyes, expressions and gestures are important in communicating.

Be sure you have the attention of the person before you try to communicate. The hearing aid user will be going through a period of once again learning how to concentrate. You can help by making sure you will be heard before you start to talk.

There is a tendency to speak loudly – even to shout – when communicating with a hearing impaired person. Once that person has been fitted with a hearing aid, a loud voice can actually make understanding more difficult. The hearing aid provides the amplification. If you want to be understood it is best to speak at a normal level.