For friends and family
- Get the person’s attention before speaking to him or her.
- Chose a bright, calm place; avoid ambient noise.
- Stand or sit directly in front of the person.
- Speak slowly and clearly without exaggerating your pronunciation. Do not yell.
- Avoid hiding your lips and lowering or turning your head.
- Specify the subject of conversation. Let the person know if the subject changes.
- Use short, simple sentences.
- If a message is not understood, say it again in different words.
- Use relevant gestures.
- If necessary, write down the key words.
For the people with hearing loss
- Let the person know you are hard of hearing.
- Ask your friends and family to stay close to you and to always speak face-to-face to you.
- Let your friends and family know that it is important to only speak to one person at a time.
- Stand with your back to a window or a light.
- Eliminate or avoid ambient noise.
- Ask what the subject of conversation is.
- Ask people to speak slowly and clearly.
- Have people repeat what they said in other words.
- Carry a small notebook and pencil for people to write down words you didn’t understand.
- Affix the ear sticker to your medical insurance card.
