Hearing Aid Communication Strategies
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
Communication strategies are necessary with or without hearing aids. They are even more important if you have a hearing loss even if you wear hearing aids. Hearing aids are meant to improve your hearing ability. However, you cannot hear if you are not listening. They do not make you a better listener that is up to you. Here are some strategies to improve your communication and lessen daily frustration.
First, you should stay on the topic of conversation. If you go “off the topic” get back on track by asking the speaker to repeat the information. Long conversations will require a great deal of attention and focus. By becoming a nose reader you will notice that more information is available by focusing on the talker’s nose so as to lipread and see facial expressions too. You can receive a lot of what is being said via visual cues. No one is going to notice if you are looking at their nose or their eyes. Always attempt to have same room conversations. This enhances the signal-to-noise ratio and the talker’s face. It is not ideal in everyday life, but you and your family can make adjustments in the way you communicate to ensure maximum hearing benefit. When you are on the telephone make sure that the talker is speaking directly into the phone. To reduce background noise, cover the microphone portion of the phone, NOT your other ear, with your hand to reduce the sound from entering the system.
Considering writing information down is another way to improve communication so that you do not have to recall long lists of details from conversations. Enlist the help of friends and family by making them aware that you have difficulty hearing especially in noise environments. This may cue them to speak directly to you.
It is important to pay attention to what is actually being said, not what you are going to say next, there is always time to formulate your response. Always stay on the topic of discussion it is easier to follow the conversation if you know what you are talking about. Finally, never be afraid to ask the speaker to repeat their message, it is better than an inappropriate response or agreeing to something that you really do not want to agree to. This last one can get you into trouble or into an unwanted obligation.
Some strategies for your friends and family members would be to make sure that they have your full attention and preferably are face to face with you. They should not be shouting at you, this only distorts their message. Try communicating with little or no competing noise. Another helpful tip is to rephrase the message rather than repeating it.
The usage of the above information should lead to improved communication function in most settings. Attempt these strategies in addition to wearing your hearing aids. You probably have already implemented many of these strategies into your everyday life without even being aware of it. We have a way of compensating behaviorally when we have a lessened sense. The combination of consistent hearing aid usage and improved listening should increase your communication ability and understanding.
The Hearing Health Care Professionals at AuDHearingAids.com
To learn more about Lars Thomas please visit us at http://www.audhearingaids.comArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/hearing-aid-communication-strategies-1509210.html
