Hints and Tips
Page 15
Get the most out of your hearing
Are you having trouble hearing what other people are saying? You're not alone; many members who are hard of hearing or deafblind know what it's like. Here are some simple tips for you to do which may be able to help:
- Sit or stand in the right place to make the best use of your hearing; if your left ear is better than your right, make sure the person is talking nearer to that ear.
- Find somewhere quiet; it will be much easier to hear without the radio or TV or other noise in the background.
- If you have some vision you will find it easier to hear if you can see the other person's face; ask the person talking to stand so that the light is on their face and not behind them (when people stand with their back to the window their face will be in shadow).
You may need to ask people not to cover their mouth or turn away while talking.
- Make sure you are close enough to hear properly; getting close up can make a huge difference. Some people find it easier to hear if the other person speaks close to their ear.
- It can also help to ask the other person to speak clearly. This might mean them speaking a little louder than usual and to speak slower (it's much easier to follow moderately-paced speech).
Don't be afraid to tell someone if you haven't heard what they have said. It's better to ask them to repeat it than to go away wondering if you've missed something important. Ask them to say it a different way, if you still can't understand. Having a good conversation can be a real pleasure, but it can also be much more tiring if you have trouble hearing and seeing the other person. If you find yourself losing concentration and starting to miss things, take a break and come back to the conversation when you're feeling refreshed.
What to do when you meet a deafblind person
- Don't be scared! Deafblind people end up isolated when other people avoid meeting them for fear of making mistakes.
- Let the person know you're there; depending on how much they can see and hear, you might say their name, approach them from where they can see you or touch them on the arm.
- Let them know who you are; it's embarrassing not knowing who you're talking to.
- Let them know when you leave; it's even more embarrassing talking to empty space.