For Friends & Family

• Get the attention of the hearing impaired person before talking, by saying their name or touching them. This way they know they have to pay attention to you.
  
• Never approach someone with a hearing impairment from behind. They may not hear you coming and get a fright. Speak clearly, but don’t exaggerate your lip movements. Never speak without using your voice.
  
• Speak slowly and calmly. Don’t put your hand before your mouth. Don’t talk with a cigarette in your mouth and don’t eat/chew whilst talking. Make sure you are nearby before you speak.
  
• Never shout at someone with a hearing impairment. They may not be able to tolerate loud sounds, also the pattern of your mouth for lip-reading will become distorted.
  
• Someone with a hearing impairment tries to understand you through hearing, reading lips and through reading your facial and body expression. Always look at the person when you speak to them. Don’t feel embarrassed when they look intently at you.
  
• Move into the light and make sure the light shines onto your mouth and face. Don’t stand with your back to a window or bright light.
• When having a conversation with a group of people, make sure everyone can join in and have a laugh as well. Being alone within a group is lonelier than being alone at home.
  
• When possible, mention the subject of the conversation, especially when more people are joining the conversation, so they know what you are talking about.
  
• Be patient when you have to repeat a sentence. Don’t say the same word more than twice. You’re better off describing what you mean. This will improve the possibility of the person understanding you. Rephrasing can also make it easier for them to understand.
  
• Don’t laugh when you are given the wrong answer. Let them know they have mis-understood what has been said.
  
• Someone with a hearing impairment may react slower, because they first listen to make sure what you say is what they are hearing, then they comprehend and understand what has been said.
  
• When giving names and addresses, write them down. Unfamiliar names and addresses must be spelled out, otherwise they may be mis-understood.
• When the radio or TV are on it can be nearly impossible for them to understand you. Preferably turn the radio or TV off, or to mute, before starting a conversation.
  
• Listening with a hearing aid and/or lip-reading can be very tiring. It can be hard to follow conversation when tired, especially when there is background noise.
  
• Understand, a hearing aid is just an aid for a hearing-impaired person, not a cure. Wearing a hearing aid does not give that person “normal” hearing.