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Shouting does not help with talking with someone with a hearing loss. Especially if you are shouting right into their ear and they do not have the benefit of reading your body language and facial expression, yet alone your lips. Here are a simple technique, comprised of 3 steps; you can use it when you recognize you are communicating with a person with a hearing loss. They are encapsulated in the simple acronym “CPR” for ease in memory and recall. “CPR” stands for: C: Close Have the person close to you and looking at you. This enables them to capitalize on the Dynamics of hearing, that is, read your body language, facial expressions, and hear more readily the tone of your voice- which accounts for 94% of hearing – even for those with perfect hearing! They can also read your lips. P: Pause Those of us who do public speaking are taught the importance of the pause. The pause between sentences enables the listeners to ABSORB the message we’ve just given them. This is doubly critical when communicating with a person with diminished hearing. If you can communicate using shorter sentences with pauses in-between, communication is easier. Here is an example: You might say: “I am going to the store to pick up some milk. I am making ice cream tonight for desert.” Applying the pause would look like this: "I am going to the store. [pause] I am picking up some milk. [pause] I am making ice cream tonight for desert." If you do this out loud, you can feel how much easier this is to hear and comprehend. Less work to hear for anyone! R: Repeat and Rephrase When a person says “what” – you repeat. If you repeat a couple of times, try rephrasing. This is how that looks: You might say: “I am going to the store” “What?” says your imperfect hearing companion You apply “R” and repeat. “I am going to the store.” “What?” is still the response with an even more twisted face. You then apply the “R” but this time REPHRASE: “I am going to the market.” “Oh” your hearing loss companion’s face brightens up. “Can I go with you?” Communication achieved! So when communication is compromised, for whatever reason, try the CPR technique to rescue it from dying; leaving you, and the listener, frustrated. *** Author: Linnaea Mallette Author Website: Linnaea Mallette Hearing Loss Website/Blog: Hearing Loss Tips
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hearing loss, communication, hearing impaired, hard of hearing,
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