It’s not over.
Masks and social distancing look like they’ll be with us for some time. And most of us have noticed that it can be difficult to communicate with people when our mouths are covered and we’re standing farther apart than we did in pre-pandemic times.
If you have a friend or loved one who has hearing loss, clear communication is especially challenging. September is National Deaf Awareness Month. The following are practical tips and strategies from American Association of Critical-Care Nurses that are good to keep in mind when talking with anyone, but are particularly helpful for those with hearing loss.
- Make sure you have the attention of the person you are communicating with.
-
Face the person you are speaking with directly, and ensure that nothing is blocking your view.
-
Be aware of environmental noise and move to a quieter place if possible.
-
Talk louder than usual, but don’t shout.
-
Speak slower than usual to increase understanding by spacing out your words a bit.
-
Use simple language.
-
Use an expressive tone.
-
Maintain genuine eye contact while speaking with others, but not too much as this could be perceived as dominant behavior.
-
Use nonverbal cues, such as nodding your head, to acknowledge you are listening and understanding.
-
Use your eyes and eyebrows to convey emotion – people can tell you are smiling behind your mask with your raised eyebrows, raised cheeks and crow’s feet.
-
Use hand gestures such as waving when you say hello or a thumbs-up to signal your agreement.
-
Ask follow-up questions to ensure the listener understood your message.
