Tips
Do not shout or over articulate. This distorts the words and makes them harder to understand.
Take pauses; pauses allow for the listener to catch up
If you must repeat yourself, try rewording what you have said. Often, it is just a word or two that someone cannot understand.
Face the person you are speaking with. Make sure nothing is covering your face. Never walk away from someone with a hearing impairment while talking. Seeing the face is very important.
Always get the listener’s attention before speaking by saying their name or touching them on the shoulder.
Turn down background noises. Mute the television or radio. Avoid restaurants at peak hours; ask the host of there are quieter places within the restaurant to be seated with good lighting.
Listen and be patient; communicating is an even greater challenge for a person with hearing loss.
Hearing aids are not a cure, they are an aid and have limitations. If a person is having trouble hearing well with hearing aids or has stopped wearing their hearing aids, ask questions and return to the audiologist. There may simply need to be an adjustment.
Move closer to the listener; this allows better access to sound and visual cues.
If needed, write things down so the listener can read what you are trying to tell them.