{"id":3441,"date":"2018-05-31T10:45:44","date_gmt":"2018-05-31T17:45:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hearingsb.com\/?p=3441"},"modified":"2018-05-31T10:45:44","modified_gmt":"2018-05-31T17:45:44","slug":"communication-tips-better-hearing-speech-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hearingsb.com\/communication-tips-better-hearing-speech-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Communication Tips for Better Hearing & Speech Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

May is Better Hearing & Speech Mont<\/strong>h. Created by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association<\/a> (ASHA) in 1927, it has been teaching people about hearing loss and speech disorders for more than 90 years. The theme of this year\u2019s event is \u201cCommunication for All.\u201d In honor of this theme, your Santa Barbara audiologist<\/a> would like to share some tips and tricks<\/a> they have learned in order to help\u00a0 you communicate better with someone who has hearing loss.<\/p>\n

Have Their Attention<\/h2>\n

\"Communication<\/p>\n

This is probably the most important tip on the whole list. It is rather simple too – before you start talking, make sure they know you are talking to them. This can be done by simply stating their name or catching their eye.<\/p>\n

Maintain Eye Contact.<\/h2>\n

And while you are at it, after catching their eye to start the conversation you should hold it the entire time. It probably goes without saying but you should face a person when talking to them. Do not attempt to hold a conversation from another room since visual cues are an important component of successful communication.<\/p>\n

Speak slowly and concisely.<\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t yell, shout, exclaim loudly or scream. While you may be tempted, as it is natural to want to speak louder when someone can\u2019t hear, it can actually distort your speech and makes your words more difficult to understand. Pausing between sentences to ensure what you are saying is understood is a good idea as well.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Cover Your Mouth<\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t cover your face with your hands or other objects while speaking. Those with\u00a0hearing loss<\/a> typically\u00a0rely on visual cues to help follow a conversation; some find lip reading helpful.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Eat or Drink<\/h2>\n

This is another tip that may be obvious \u2013 don\u2019t eat or drink while talking. Not only is it rude to talk with your mouth full but it can make your words much harder to understand.<\/p>\n

Find A Quiet Area<\/h2>\n

Having a conversation in a crowded, noise-filled room is going to be harder than in a quiet space free of background noise. Background noises can be distracting and cause the hearing impaired individual to miss out on what you are saying.<\/p>\n

Repetition is Key<\/h2>\n

Repeat yourself if necessary. You should try using a different word or rephrasing your sentence if it is too confusing.<\/p>\n

When in Doubt, Write it Out<\/h2>\n

If what you are saying is important, the best way to ensure your conversation partner understands is to write it down. That way nothing can be lost in translation.<\/p>\n

Pay Attention<\/h2>\n

You can tell a lot from watching someone\u2019s facial expression. If they look confused, there is a good chance they are<\/em> confused. Paying attention to the listener while you are talking can let you know if you need to rephrase or repeat anything.<\/p>\n

Communication is a Give and Take<\/h2>\n

Remember, communication is a two-way street. Give the other person a chance to speak, and do not interrupt.<\/p>\n

To learn more about Better Hearing & Speech Month<\/em> or communication tips, contact your Santa Barbara audiologist<\/strong> today.<\/p>\n