Active Listening
If you have hearing loss there are ways to help you communicate with others.
Look at the person who is speaking. Place yourself so you have a full view of the other person’s face, not just the profile. You can gain a lot of meaning when you watch as well as listen.
Everyone has some ability to read lips and expressions. You learn what is being said by watching a speaker's lips, facial expressions, gestures and body language.
Wear your glasses so you can see the other person well.
If one ear is better than the other, sit with your better ear toward the speaker.
Get closer to the person talking. The best distance is about 3 to 5 feet. Don’t try to have a conversation from another room.
Concentrate on the speaker’s main ideas. Don't worry if you miss a few words. Just listen for the main ideas.
Try to follow the topic of conversation. Watch for cues that may help you guess what was said. Others can give you clues about the subject such as, "We are talking about the housing problem." Or quietly ask someone in the group to tell you what they are talking about.
Notice the way different people express themselves. Learn their facial expressions, the words they use, or their accent.
Take an interest in people and events. It will help you follow discussions if you know about national and world events. Learn about what is going on in your community and with your friends too.
Don't worry that people will think you are staring at them while you are trying to listen. It is always polite to look at the person who is talking.
Don't nod as if you understand when you don't. It is better to ask questions than to pretend you understand.
Ask someone to tell you what you may have missed. Be very specific about what you heard and what you missed. That way the person does not have to repeat the whole message. You can also ask the person to use words that are easier to hear.
Tell the speaker which part of what he or she said you didn’t understand. Don’t say, "I didn't hear," or "I didn't understand." That doesn't give the speaker enough information to fix the problem.
Tell others if they speak too softly, too quickly, if you cannot see their face, or if noise is part of the problem. Let them know it might help if they use gestures when they speak.
Work at listening. Do not get into the habit of letting someone else, such as your spouse or friend, listen for you.
Remember that conversation goes both ways. You have to listen and speak. Do not talk so much that you take over the conversation.
Be willing to say you can’t hear well and ask for help. Most people will be glad to help if you tell them what you need.
Try to get specific information in writing. For example, ask them to write down directions or medical information.
Have a light behind you, not behind the speaker where it may cast a shadow. This will help you see the speakers face.
Use hearing aids that have more than one microphone. These give the best sound from in front of you and block sounds that are behind you.
Try to get rid of background noise. Turn off the television, radio, machines, fan or running water when you want to hear. Close the car window. Close doors and windows if it is loud. In public, try to find a quiet spot to talk.
Think about the room. If you often converse in a particular room, you can make it easier to hear if you install carpeting, draperies, padded furniture or acoustic ceiling tiles.
When eating out, plan ahead. Go during off-peak hours, reserve a table in a quiet area and sit with your back against the wall. Ask for a booth instead of a table.
When going to a play, concert, church or lecture, arrive early so that you can get a seat in front. Ask if they have an assistive listening device.
When going to a movie or play, read a plot summary in advance.
When going to lectures, ask speakers to use a microphone. Ask others if they are having problems hearing too. The problem may be a faulty microphone, a poor speaker or a lot of background noise.
On the telephone, repeat what you heard to make sure it is correct.
Be realistic about what you will be able to hear in some situations. There will be times when listening will be harder. Keep in mind that this is true for listeners with good hearing as well.
Pay attention to how you speak. Hearing loss may make it hard for you to speak well. Work on saying each word clearly.
Take time to rest. When you are ill or tired, it will be harder for you to listen. Give yourself time to rest and relax each day.
Relax. Keep your sense of humor. Stress makes it harder for you to speak and listen. Nobody hears everything. Being able to laugh will help you adjust to different situations.
Make sure you follow your doctor or provider’s advice. Talk with your doctor or other healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns.