Have better conversations with (or without) hearing loss
While we often talk about how hearing loss impacts the ability to speak with other people, the fact is that everyone’s conversation will be improved by following the ABC’s and 2 V’s of Successful Conversation that Audiologist Martine Schlagintweit has created. Active communication is just that – both participants are actively taking part and being aware of their role in the conversation.
Communicating with people with hearing loss
Have you ever found yourself yelling back-and-forth with someone in another room?
The experience can range from funny to frustrating – and this scenario rarely results a successful conversation! It’s also a perfect example of a situation when we can be aware of being a good conversation partner by stopping and moving into the same room to talk.
Active communication is just that – both participants are actively taking part and being aware of their role in the conversation.
Here are 5 other tips for good communication:
- Speak slowly, clearly and naturally
- Resist the urge to speak louder
- Don’t shout or exaggerate your mouth movements – doing so can distort speech sounds
- Say the person’s name before talking to get their attention
- Keeping your mouth uncovered will allow your conversation partner to see visual cues
Ways that people cope with poor conversation
When a person constantly feels like they can’t hear the conversation often they give up. This is understandable!
Here are some of the common responses that we see:
Withdrawal: “I don’t go out to noisy restaurants anymore because I know I won’t be able to hear the conversation.”
Blaming others: “You mumble. You speak too fast. You don’t speak clearly.”
Pretending: “I nod like I’m hearing as I’m trying to figure out what the person just said.”
Over time, hearing loss can unintentionally alter a person’s life as they avoid situations where unsuccessful conversation will likely occur.
How can hearing aids help improve conversation?
If you have hearing loss, hearing aids can fill in the gaps of sounds that you are missing now. Hearing aids are conversation helpers! Hearing aids will help you:
- Hear in quiet situations
- Hear with competing background noise
- Improve listening ability
- Make speech easier to understand
People with untreated hearing loss are often very tired at the end of a day with social interaction. Hearing aids make conversation less tiring because the brain does not require as much effort to hear and process what’s being said.
How’s your hearing?
Take our Online Hearing Check and find out how well you’re hearing.
The check only takes a couple of minutes. You’ll need a pair of headphones and your laptop or tablet.
If conversation is becoming challenging, it’s time to speak with an Audiologist. Call us or request an appointment online to schedule an appointment: Broadmead Hearing Clinic: 250-479-2969 or Oak Bay Hearing Clinic: 250-479-2921.