Communicating with Hearing Loss

Hearing in background noise can be difficult with and without hearing loss. Places such as busy restaurants, loud crowds, and large rooms with reverberation can degrade the speech signal. There are communication strategies that can improve your understanding in busy environments including:

• Position yourself towards the person speaking while positioning your back to the noise.
• Request seating in a quieter location. Additionally, ensure the area is well-lit to utilize context cues such as lip reading and facial expressions.
• Encourage your communication partner to speak slowly and clearly.
• If you have an ear that hears better, point your better ear towards the person speaking.

If you are speaking to someone with hearing loss be mindful of these tips:

• Check to make sure you have their attention before speaking. Do not begin talking while turned away or while in a different room.
• Avoid talking too quickly or using complex sentences. It is helpful to pause between sentences to ensure understanding.
• Take turns when speaking in a large group.

If you have begun to notice more difficulty hearing in background noise, it is recommended to schedule a hearing test to check for hearing loss. Difficulty hearing in background noise is a common complaint in those with hearing loss. To schedule a hearing test, please call our office at (703) 922-4262.