Practical Suggestions

Practical Suggestions for Persons with a Hearing Impairment.
A COMPLETE AUDIOLOGIC EVALUATION (hearing examination) is necessary to determine what type of hearing impairment is present, its probable cause, and recommended treatment. You will no doubt be able to find advertising saying "free" hearing testing. The most probable reason would be that, as they are not audiologists, it is illegal for them to charge for testing.

Hearing is a natural and a normal way to understand speech. If your hearing can be improved by medical or by surgical means, or through the use of a hearing aid, this should be done.

Whatever the type of treatment carried out, rehabilitation is essential if you are to gain maximum benefits from treatment.

Be determined to master speech reading - make a hobby of it. It will help in every conversation.

Make every effort to relax. Do not strain either to hear or to see speech. Strain causes tension and makes lip reading much more difficult. A combination of seeing and hearing, under relaxed conditions, enables persons with impaired hearing to hear most speakers quite well.

Do not expect to understand every word in a conversation, but follow along with the speaker. As you become familiar with the speech, key words will emerge and you will be able to understand the complete thought.

Try to stage-manage the situation to your advantage. Lighting is important. Avoid facing a bright light and avoid having a shadow on the speaker's face. Six feet is an ideal separation from the speaker; from this distance his lip movements, facial expressions and gestures can be readily observed.

Maintain an active interest in people and events. Keep abreast of national affairs and events in your community and intimate social circles. You will be able to follow discussions more easily.

Remember that conversation is a two-way affair. Do not monopolize the conversation in an attempt to direct and control it. On the other hand, do not let it pass by without participating. Take an active and interested part whenever possible.

Be particular about your speech. A hearing impairment of long duration may bring changes in volume as well as in articulation and voice quality. These changes must be prevented when possible and corrected where indicated. A pleasant, well-modulated voice is a great asset.

A friendly, sympathetic interest in other people and in their problems can do much to smooth one's own path.

The education of the public is your responsibility and ours alike. You cannot help others understand your problem if you conceal it from them. Do not hide the fact that you wear a hearing aid, or that you depend on speech reading to understand conversation. By letting others know about your problem, you can make communications easier for you. It is only through mutual acceptance and understanding of the problems of persons with impaired hearing that the "outsider" can be expected to adjust to needs of the speech reader. Without this understanding the "outsider" may unintentionally add to the problems of the speech reader.

Always keep in mind that the success of your auditory rehabilitation is largely dependent on you, your attitude and your acceptance of the problem.

Try to find a quiet place to talk. Cutting down on background noise will make it easier to understand the speaker.

Ask people to repeat or rephrase things that are not clear. Pretending to understand when you do not will only cause problems later. Do not say what or "huh". Say this is what I heard that way they will know exactly what you missed but also that you are actively listening and are interested.