Operations Manual

Tips for Better Communication | 39 38 | Tips for Better Communication
Your hearing professional will recommend an
appropriate schedule to help you adapt to your new
hearing aid� It will take practice, time and patience
for your brain to adapt to the new sounds that your
hearing aid provides� Hearing is only part of how we
share thoughts, ideas and feelings� Reading lips, facial
expressions and gestures can help the learning process
and add to what amplification alone
may miss�
Please review the following simple communication tips:
For You
• Move closer to and look at the speaker
• Sit face-to-face in a quiet room
• Try different locations to find the best place
to listen
• Minimize distractions
• Background noises may be frustrating at first;
remember, you have not heard them for a while
• Let others know what you need; keep in mind that
people cannot “see” your hearing loss
• Develop realistic expectations of what your hearing
aids can and cannot do
• Better hearing with hearing aids is a learned skill
combining desire, practice and patience
For Your Family and Friends
Your family and friends are also affected by your
hearing loss� Request that they:
• Get your full attention before beginning to speak
• Look at you or sit face-to-face in a quiet room
• Speak clearly and at a normal rate and level;
shouting can actually make understanding
more difficult
• Rephrase rather than repeat the same words;
different words may be easier to understand
• Minimize distractions while speaking