Most people with hearing impairments move easily through the world. We can all enjoy good communication if we think a moment before speaking.
Instructions
1. Relax and smile. People with a hearing impairment want to make communication easier.
2. Touch a person with a hearing impairment lightly on the arm or shoulder to attract his or her attention.
3. Face the person.
4. Look and speak directly at the hearing-impaired person even if a signing interpreter is present.
5. Realize noisy or distracting environments can hinder communication.
6. Remember many hearing-impaired people rely on speech-reading to help understand what is being said.
7. Shouting or speaking with exaggerated slowness confuses speech-reading.
8. Do nothing that will distort your speech, such as eating, chewing gum or smoking.
9. Pay attention to the hearing-impaired person's reactions. A puzzled look might mean you need to clarify or repeat your remark.
10. Rephrase any remark that is misunderstood.
Tags: with hearing, hearing impairment, hearing-impaired person, with hearing impairment