This page provides you with information on how to communicate with hearing loss and tips on how to manage acoustics and noise at home.
Don’t panic! Remember most people with good hearing are not able to hear everything all the time.
Wear your glasses if you need them.
Look at the person you are speaking to.
Sit or stand where you can see and hear (not the back row!)
Place yourself at the same level: either both sitting, or both standing – not one of each.
Move so that the light is on the speaker’s face.
Put the light on or draw the curtains or blinds if necessary.
Turn off the television or radio.
Move to a quieter room, if possible,
Move to a corner of the room if this is not possible.
Rooms full of soft surfaces (chairs, carpets, blinds) are easier to hear in than rooms full of hard surfaces (like kitchens or bathrooms).
Ask people to repeat and rephrase things if you get stuck.
Do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it e.g. ask people to repeat things or write them down.
Request that people speak one at a time.
Used closed questions: Not “What time did you say?” but “Did you say Thursday at 3.00pm?”
Be assertive about your needs but not aggressive. Take control.
Acoustics
Noisy rooms
It is easier to hear in the corners of a noisy room than in the middle.
Ask café and restaurant staff to turn off or turn down the background music.
Sit as far away as possible from noisy machines e.g. coffee machines
When you are in a coffee shop you can improve the acoustics by placing your newspaper/paper napkin/sheet of paper under your coffee cups and plates
It is easier to understand someone if you are both sitting down or both standing up to chat.
It is easier to understand in a group of one or two friends than in large groups.
At home
Rooms with cushions, carpets and curtains (such as your sitting room) are easier to hear in than rooms full of hard surfaces (such as your kitchen or bathroom).
Sit round a table to enjoy your meal.
Tablecloths, table mats and coasters will deaden the sound of crockery and cutlery.
Turn the television, radio etc off at mealtimes.
If you prefer to eat in the kitchen do not have the kettle, washing machine, tumbler dryer etc on at mealtimes.
Ask family and visitors to speak one at a time.
It will be easier for you to hear at mealtimes if people are good mannered and do not speak with their mouths full!
