Communication skills when working with people with a hearing loss Martin Lawlor

2 Get their attention Before you start to speak ensure you are in the same room as the person and you have their full attention

3 Don’t cover your mouth Speak clearly, not too slowly and use normal lip movements, natural facial expressions and gestures.

4 Don’t shout Keep your voice at a normal level. It is uncomfortable for hearing aid users and it looks aggressive.

5 Don’t speak too fast If someone doesn’t understand what your saying, try saying it in a different way and slow down.

6 Face the person Always turn and face the person, this helps them pick up any visual clues you might give them.

7 Find a suitable place to talk, with good lighting, away from noise and distractions. Don’t turn away while speaking

8 Use plain language and don’t waffle Get to the point

9 Get the persons attention Don’t cover your mouth Speak clearly Don’t mumble Don’t shout Pick a good place to talk Get to the point Remember

10 Deaf or hard of hearing can use the service Operator controlled Available any time Free to use (operated by RNID) Requires text/screen phone Conversation is typed in real time by operator Operator can read out messages for caller if someone does not have a text phone Typetalk & TextDirect

11 Current hearing aids Batteries last approx 2 weeks To turn it off open the battery compartment The squealing noise means the ear mould is not fitted properly or there is a build up of wax If not working change the battery and test by cupping it in your hands this should make it squeal

Any questions? Visual & Hearing Impairment Team Tel:

Visual & Hearing Impairment Service Visual & Hearing Impairment Team Faseman House 75 Faseman Avenue Tile Hill Coventry Tel: gov.uk

Deaf Awareness Quiz

Deaf people follow better if you raise your voice and shout? 1.True 2.False

All deaf children have deaf parents 1.True 2.False

Sign language is international 1.True 2.False

If you don’t know sign language, what is the best way to communicate? 1.Mouthing words 2.Shouting 3.Writing down words 4.Using an interpreter

Hearing aids restore hearing to normal 1.True 2.False 3.Depends on the hearing aid

Deaf people take a different driving test to hearing people 1.True 2.False 3.Only in Scotland 4.In England and Wales

There are hearing dogs for the deaf just like there are guide dogs for the blind 1.True 2.False

All deaf people can lip read 1.True 2.False

You know when a deaf person has understood you because they nod in agreement 1.True 2.False 3.Maybe

Can a deaf person use a telephone? 1.Yes 2.No 3.Depends on the phone