Strategies for Hearing Loss
Research is clear that people who attend Aural Rehabilitation classes do better with their hearing aids.
In this class, Audiologists will help you to understand what it means to have hearing loss. Hearing aids are only a portion of the solution; we will teach other valuable techniques to employ in order to maximize your hearing abilities. We strongly encourage spouses or family members to attend to gain an understanding about what it means to live with someone who has hearing loss.
You will be joined by other people who have received hearing aids in the past month so you can hear other people's experiences as well.
Improve your communication
Communication breakdowns can leave both the listener and speaker frustrated. And while hearing aids are far better than untreated hearing loss, it is still important to change the way that we communicate, in order to hear better.
Here's a common example: a speaker is talking to you from another room, turning away while they are speaking, or speaking before asking for your attention. The listener might reply with “What? Speak up.” This breakdown in communication interrupts the natural flow of the conversation and often ends in frustration.
- Face the person you are speaking with
- Have good lighting
- Reduce the amount of background noise; for example, turn off the radio or TV in the background
- Speak clearly, not louder.
- Get the person’s attention before you start speaking to them; say their name or tap their shoulder
- Reduce the distance between you and the listener
- Pause between sentences
This video covers some of the strategies everyone can use to improve communication.
Next Class:
(Please note that all Communication Strategies Classes are held at our Broadmead location.)
We will update you when these classes are able to resume.
Classes are held at:
Broadmead Hearing Clinic
4430 Chatterton Way
Please RSVP to the event at 250-479-2969 so we can bring enough handouts and cookies.