Did you know that the term ‘hard-of-hearing’ is a bit obsolete? In today’s world, it’s used as an umbrella term to describe those with any degree of hearing loss. It thus includes those who are deaf but can hear some things and those whose hearing is fine but they have trouble understanding certain sounds. Today we’ll be looking at the latter underachieving group and give some important pieces of advice to improve their communication. 

Use a hearing aid

If you have a hearing impairment, then a device is commonly known as a “hearing aid” can help to amplify sound. These devices come in different forms and price tags. Hearing aids are not just used by the elderly, many younger people find them useful as well. Also,  keep in mind that hearing aid specifications should be sufficient to address your specific hearing problems. Thus, before you buy hearing aids on Staten Island, New York, or wherever you may be in the United States, you need to consult an audiologist first. Audiologists are healthcare professionals who specialize in hearing and balance disorders and they will recommend what type of hearing meets your hearing needs best based on their diagnosis.

Don’t ignore your problem

It is important to see your doctor if you think you have some problems with your ears because ignoring them might make things worse! So don’t be shy – do yourself (and the people around you) some good by seeing a health professional about it! 

Be wary when crossing the street

Sometimes, people assume that deaf or hard of hearing people are either stupid or stubborn because they may have trouble crossing the road if they have difficulty hearing cars coming their way. However, this is not necessarily so – sometimes it’s just easier to play safe! 

Do your research before buying audio equipment

Audio devices can be helpful products for many people but their usefulness and functionality can vary with each person. It means do your homework before rushing into buying that pair of headphones or headset you like, speakers, or a new alarm clock. While most promotional material will mention if the device is compatible with hearing aids, it’s best to double-check yourself. It is better to test products to see if they don’t interfere with your hearing or the operation of your hearing aid.

Communicate clearly

This is perhaps one of the most important pieces of advice. Always communicate clearly, even if it requires shouting or repeating yourself. It’s important to address this first as it relates to the lack of self-confidence many people feel when their hearing is not quite perfect. Many assume that since they can only hear some sounds, everyone else must be able to hear even better than them (when in fact, most of us have no trouble hearing at all). Think about the times you may have assumed someone didn’t hear you because they simply ignored what you had said – maybe they just didn’t catch what you were saying and needed a bit more information. Or maybe there was something going on around them that distracted them. It’s important to not jump to conclusions and assume you weren’t heard or understood. The next time someone says something but it doesn’t seem entirely clear, repeat what you think they said back to them in your own words – this helps everyone understand exactly what’s being communicated.

The key here is to be proactive about clear communication. Don’t assume that others will automatically try harder to be clearer, because it takes two people properly communicating with each other for this to work most effectively. If you are hard-of-hearing, remember these tips, and hopefully, these can help you interact and communicate with others better.