How we remind people when they forget we have a hearing loss can determine whether they are willing to comply or want to stop communicating with us.
Attitude matters. Tone matters. Body language matters.
If we express anger, irritation or frustration people are more likely to terminate communication. Demanding compliance also will tend to work against us.
Being polite and encouraging will very often result in compliance.
Non verbal unobtrusive methods of reminding people:
- a hand with palm turned upward and moving up to indicate to the person to speak louder
- tapping your ear to remind people of your hearing loss
- beckoning a person with a forefinger to remind them to come closer for so you can hear them
I think the above advice is especially important with family members. Politeness and manners often takes a backseat with the people we are most familiar with.
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4 comments:
It's probably a cultural thing but I would, and do, hate anyone beckoning to me, or tapping of their ear- that could mean anything.
I find the best way is to just say that you can't hear them. We all forget from time to time and it does no harm to say that you can't hear.
I would find the hand signals very annoying. Sorry.
Interesting. I like reading other people's take on the suggestions in "Staying in Touch". I too have had differing thoughts with some of the advice.
I will use hand signals but I'll also speak. I'll point at my hearing aid and tell people that I'm hard of hearing, that I may need them to repeat things for me or write down key words.
I remind people I'm hard of hearing. But in one situation I had to bite my lip, when I felt humiliated. I felt like saying I'm deaf not stupid.
You going to the CHHA conference in Sudbury in June? Bosley and I will be there for sure. Dr. Trychin is giving a workshop.
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