Julie Raney is a certified and licensed audiologist. She has a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master’s Degree in Audiology from Idaho State University. She has worked as a clinical audiologist in Colorado since 2005. She specializes in hearing amplification for adults and delivers her services in both English and Sign Language.

Learn About Hearing Loss

Understanding how hearing loss impacts your loved one is an incredibly helpful way to learn how to best support them. Though hearing loss is one of the most common medical conditions that people navigate today, people experience it differently. Degree of impairment and presence of symptoms can range from mild to severe which shapes an individual’s specific hearing needs.

It is also important to learn about the emotional toll hearing loss can take. This is especially critical if your loved one has delayed seeking treatment for their hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss can not only worsen impairment but also significantly impact relationships. People may not readily accept the changes they are experiencing with their hearing health. Your loved one may feel denial, express anger, frustration, stress etc. It is important to understand that this can be a process and your support can make a profound difference. Taking the time to research hearing loss symptoms and impact can best prepare you to have useful conversations and advocate in effective ways.

Practice Effective Communication Strategies

There are numerous ways you can engage in communication that maximize your loved one’s hearing. It is important for you to help create the most accessible environments and conversations which better allows them to hear and participate. Useful strategies you can use include the following:

Grab their attention before speaking: can easily do this by saying their name before jumping into a conversation. This allows them to make any necessary adjustments to be prepared for the conversation.
Be visible: be sure to face the person you are speaking to. This allows your loved one to clearly see you which provides access to nonverbal cues like facial expressions and other body language. Additionally, lip reading is a common strategy people with hearing loss use to help follow a conversation.
Speak clearly: people often assume that speaking loudly is effective. But projecting your voice can actually obscure sound further, making it more difficult to hear. It is important to speak clearly and at a natural volume, avoid speaking rapidly or too slowly.
Reduce background noise: environmental noise can make it challenging to hear and process sound. It provides the ears and brain with competing sound to process which can be overwhelming. Reduce background noise by avoiding loud settings, turning off sources of unnecessary noise (television, household appliances, radio etc.).
Avoid multitasking: multitasking during conversations can be distracting. Avoid activities like texting, cleaning, or talking from a different room. This can create more noise, prevent visibility, and distract from the conversation. It is important to be fully engaged and present which helps everyone focus and practice effective communication.

Ask About Hearing Needs

Another useful way to provide support is to ask your loved one what their hearing needs are. After receiving a hearing test, they will learn about the specifics of their impairment: type of hearing loss, degree, and the sounds that are more challenging to detect and process. Knowing this information better allows you to support them and understand how you can communicate in ways that are beneficial.

Another strategy is to consistently check-in during conversations. Simply asking if you can repeat anything or if they need you to do anything differently, creates an opportunity for them to share feedback.

Become an Advocate

Hearing loss is a lifelong journey. Letting your loved one know that you are committed to supporting them is incredibly valuable. Being an advocate for their hearing health can also look like attending their appointments with them. This is especially helpful if your loved one has not treated their hearing loss yet. Not only can this alleviate any stress and anxiety they could be feeling, but it gives you an opportunity to learn more about their hearing loss. You can ask a hearing healthcare provider specific questions, share your own observations of your loved one’s hearing loss, and take notes which your loved one can access later.