All of us enjoy a good conversation with someone who is also a good listener. Sometimes the most meaningful visit is one where a person just comes to spend some time talking about whatever topic comes up. If a person has a hearing loss, there are some challenges which can impact participation in those conversations as well as any activities.

If you have ever been in a very noisy environment and had trouble hearing someone talking to you in person or on the telephone, you have only had a glimpse into the frustrations of person who does not hear well. One of the best ways to facilitate a successful conversation is to try modifying your approach, using a few simple but important strategies.

Find a quiet place where you can talk without interruptions if possible. That means turning off the radio, television, music and limit distractions such as cell phones. Sometimes you may start out that way and things become more hectic around you. If you notice less participation on the part of the hard of hearing person, that may be your cue to make some changes, like going to a different location or asking others to move to another room.

Using electronic devices in the presence of an older adult can present some additional problems. First of all, they are usually not use to these kind of interruptions. A caregiver recently commented that she loves to see her grandchildren but it seems like they spend more time either talking on their cell phones or texting. Since it is important to look at the hard of hearing person when talking, putting the cell phone or computer aside during the visit is recommended. This caregiver also shared that she is reluctant to say anything to her grandchildren because she worries they will stop visiting.

It is very helpful if you slow the rate of your speech and shorten your sentences. If you are playing any games or having a discussion, it would be better to sit across from the person. A hearing impaired person often misses a word here and there so the longer the sentences, the harder it becomes for them to keep up. What often happens is the person just sits and listens but responds less and less because it is too hard to follow the information. Encourage the person with the hearing loss to interrupt you if that is happening. In some cases, writing down a few key words can be helpful. For additional communication suggestions, refer to Managing Life with a Hearing Loss.

What if you enjoyed activities like volunteering, going to a senior center or playing cards and developed a hearing loss? For some people, that means a decline in participation but it does not have to be that way. The person who volunteered answering the telephone might need to be reassigned to something meaningful that relies less on listening capabilities. Attending the senior center activities might mean sitting right next to the person to have a conversation or moving to a quieter area. People with a hearing loss should try and sit in the front row of a presentation or wear their hearing aids.

If you work together to help each other out when there are some limitations in communication, you will find the situation less frustrating and begin to look forward to sharing time together. Try some of these suggestions with your friends and family. Creating Ideas for a Better Visit will provide you with additional suggestions, including how to modify activities.

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.” Norman Vincent Peale

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