Help! I am Struggling to Communicate with my Loved One

Easy tips to help you communicate better with those you love

“My loved one can’t hear me when I talk. Even if I yell!”

We hear this all the time. When trying to talk to someone with hearing loss many people tend to yell and repeat themselves at increasing volumes if the person didn’t catch what they said the first time. However, this often doesn’t solve the problem and leaves everyone feeling frustrated. The good news, improving communication with hearing loss is possible.

Not being able to hear what people are saying makes many people with hearing loss withdrawal socially. That’s why hearing loss is associated with social isolation, feelings of isolation and loneliness. 

No one deserves to be left out of the conversation because of hearing loss.

That’s why we recommend these easy tips for speaking with people with hearing loss. These simple steps can help you communicate better with those you love.

Follow these recommendations to improve communication with hearing loss:

• Get their attention before speaking.
• Reduce background noise, like music or side conversations, when possible.
• Speak to the person face-to-face in a normal tone. Many people with hearing loss rely on lip reading. So, keeping your face visible and speaking slowly and clearly is important. Avoid rushing, mumbling, and looking away from the person mid-sentence. 
• If the person you are speaking to does not hear or understand, you try rephrasing what you said instead of saying the same thing louder. People with hearing loss often hear certain sounds and words better than others, so rephrasing may allow them to hear better and understand what you say.

It can be tricky to communicate with hearing loss. It’s easy to get frustrated when you can’t easily converse with your loved ones. However, making simple changes when you speak can improve communication with hearing loss, so that you both understand each other and are less frustrated. 

For more information on how we can help you or your loved ones hear better, call now or click here to book an appointment with our expert team. 

Cole Harbour: 902-406-4327

Lower Sackville: 902-252-3004 

Contributor: Megan MacDonald, BAScH (Hons)