Table.
Communication Strategies for Individuals With Hearing Lossa
| Reduce background noise |
| Obtain the individual’s attention |
| Ask how the individual prefers to communicate |
| Confirm hearing aid users are using them |
| Speak slightly louder, and with a minimally reduced rate |
| Rephrase rather than repeating the same words, shouting, exaggerated pronunciation, etc |
| Take turns when speaking |
| Optimize positioning (ie, face-to-face, not moving around or walking) |
| Use low-tech methods (eg, pen-and-paper, clear partitions) |
| Use high-tech methods (eg, Wi-Fi–enabled tablets, video chat apps on smartphones) |
| Use video-conferencing platforms (eg, telemedicine, unmasked, without PPE) |
| Use clear (or clear-paneled) masks to improve visibility of facial expressions/lip-reading cues |
| Use PSAPs |
| Use loaner hearing aids or FM systems along with a microphone lanyard |
| Use scribes or professional support staff to assist health care professionals with hearing loss |
a
FM = frequency modulation; PPE = personal protective equipment; PSAPs = personal sound amplification products.