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What's your role in communication?

I Have Hearing Loss
Tips to help me communicate better
I'm a Family Member
Helping my loved one with hearing loss
I'm a Colleague/Friend
Working or interacting with someone who has hearing loss
Show Me Everything
I want to see all perspectives and tips

Communication Basics

Fundamental strategies that work in any situation for people with hearing loss and their communication partners.

Basic Communication Principles

Good communication is a two-way street that requires cooperation from both speaker and listener. These fundamental strategies work in any situation:

Face Each Other
Position yourself so the person with hearing loss can see your face clearly. Visual cues are crucial for understanding.
Get Attention First
Before speaking, make sure you have the person's attention through a gentle touch or wave.
Speak Clearly
Use a normal speaking voice without shouting. Enunciate clearly, but don't exaggerate mouth movements.
Use Gestures
Supplement your words with natural gestures and visual cues to provide context.
Be Patient
Be willing to repeat or rephrase if needed. Frustration helps no one.
Confirm Understanding
Summarize key points to ensure mutual understanding, especially for important information.

Environmental Considerations

The setting can make or break a conversation. Consider these environmental factors:

  • Reduce background noise: Turn off TVs, radios, and other noise sources
  • Improve lighting: Ensure faces are well-lit, avoid backlighting
  • Choose quiet locations: Select restaurants with good acoustics, request corner booths
  • Minimize distance: Sit closer together, especially in noisy environments
  • Reduce visual distractions: Choose settings with minimal visual clutter

Situation-Specific Strategies

Tailored communication approaches for different environments and scenarios.

Restaurants

Request quiet seating, ask for written specials, and use menu items to point when ordering.

Social Settings

Position yourself to see faces and ask for one-person-at-a-time conversations in groups.

Phone Calls

Use video calls when possible, enable captions, and follow up with written summaries.

Medical Visits

Inform staff about hearing loss, bring a companion, and request written instructions.

Shopping

Visit during off-peak hours, have questions written down, and use visual confirmation.

In Vehicles

Reduce music/radio volume, wait to speak until at stoplights, or pull over for important conversations.

Workplace Accommodations

Professional communication strategies and legal accommodations for the workplace.

Reasonable Accommodations Under ADA

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers must provide reasonable accommodations. Common workplace accommodations include:

  • Meeting accommodations: Real-time captioning services (CART), sign language interpreters, written agendas and materials in advance
  • Technology: Captioned telephone service, amplified phones, visual alert systems for phones/doorbells
  • Physical environment: Quiet office space, improved acoustics, visual fire alarms
  • Communication: Written instructions and feedback, email summaries of verbal conversations, scheduled check-ins
Pro Tip
Document your accommodation request in writing and work with your HR department. Many accommodations cost little to nothing but significantly improve productivity and job satisfaction.

Meeting Strategies

Use Video
Video conferencing allows lip-reading and seeing facial expressions. Enable captions on Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet.
Get Agendas
Request agendas and materials ahead of time to prepare and follow along more easily.
One Speaker
Ask for one person to speak at a time and identify themselves before speaking.

Technology & Tools

Apps, devices, and assistive technology to enhance communication.

Essential Communication Apps

Live Transcribe (Android, Free): Real-time speech-to-text transcription using your phone's microphone. Great for one-on-one conversations.

Otter.ai (iOS & Android, Free/Paid): Meeting transcription with speaker identification and note-taking features. Excellent for work meetings.

AVA (iOS & Android, Free/Paid): Group conversation captioning that uses multiple phones for better accuracy in multi-person settings.

InnoCaption (iOS & Android, Free): Real-time phone captioning service that captions all your phone calls.

Assistive Listening Devices

Beyond hearing aids, these devices can enhance communication in specific situations:

  • Personal FM/DM systems: Wireless microphone and receiver for one-on-one or small group settings
  • Loop systems: Electromagnetic signal transmitted directly to hearing aids with telecoils
  • TV streamers: Direct audio from TV to hearing aids or cochlear implants
  • Amplified phones: Landline and mobile phone amplifiers

Self-Advocacy Resources

How to effectively communicate your needs and advocate for yourself.

Effective Self-Advocacy Phrases

Being direct about your needs is the most effective approach. Here are some helpful phrases:

  • "I have hearing loss. Could you please face me when you speak?"
  • "I didn't catch that. Could you please rephrase?"
  • "This environment is too noisy for me. Could we move to a quieter location?"
  • "I need that information in writing to make sure I have it correct."
  • "Please speak one at a time so I can follow the conversation."
  • "I'm having trouble hearing you through the mask. Could you use a clear mask or write it down?"
Remember
Your hearing loss is not your fault, and asking for accommodations is not a burden. Clear communication benefits everyone in the conversation.

Emergency Preparedness

Communication strategies and tools for emergency situations.

Emergency Communication Plan

Prepare for emergencies with these important steps:

  • Alert systems: Install visual smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, bed-shaking alarm clocks, and weather alert systems
  • Emergency contacts: Program ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts in your phone with text capability
  • Medical information: Carry a card noting your hearing loss and preferred communication methods
  • 911 alternatives: Register for text-to-911 if available in your area
  • Backup power: Keep extra batteries for hearing aids/processors and portable chargers for communication devices
Important
Inform your local fire department and emergency services about your hearing loss and specific communication needs. Many departments maintain registries for residents with disabilities.