Communication Strategies

From the chronicles

Gestures for communicating with people who have hearing loss Part One

When you use gestures to make a point or emphasize the meaning, it can be really helpful for people with hearing loss. Here are 11 gestures for clearer communication: Send this link to the person in your life who has hearing loss to make sure they are on the same page! (No pun intended.) […]

Self-advocacy: still learning to stand up for my hearing

I grew up without the guidance of an educational audiologist or a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TDHH). In fact, I didn’t even experience the difference a remote microphone could make until I reached university. Because of that, I consider myself a “late bloomer” when it comes to self-advocacy. What I’ve realized […]

Why you shouldn’t bluff when you have hearing loss

I have never met a PWHL (person with hearing loss) who didn’t admit to bluffing (pretending to understand). Even people with normal hearing bluff sometimes. The difference is that hearing loss is a permanent condition for us. As an ongoing strategy, bluffing has its limitations. Why would any PWHL do this? One reason is that […]

People with hearing loss who say, “What??”

When you experience hearing loss, it’s common to ask others to repeat what they’ve said. Phrases like “What?”, “Sorry?” or “Pardon?” are common ways to seek clarification, but they’re actually less effective. Overusing these simple requests can lead to frustration or impatience in those who have to repeat themselves. A better approach is to […]

I heard you the first time: my responsibility as a person with hearing loss

As a deaf person, I can be guilty of not acknowledging that I have heard something, and force the other person to repeat needlessly. The tension is also avoidable. Here’s what is going on for me in a conversation: What about you? Related post: How can you tell hearing loss from selective hearing?

Feelings of inadequacy with hearing loss

Both the mouse-dragging and water-overflowing incidents (in the video below) occurred within the past few months, with people I had just met. I got a “What’s wrong with you??” vibe both times. It may be real, it may be imagined. So, what’s the solution? For the person with hearing loss (PWHL): disclose your hearing […]

What the COVID pandemic meant for people with hearing loss

In the video below, I have summarized an interesting research study that looked at the impact of the COVID pandemic on people with hearing loss. During the COVID pandemic, I found myself bluffing—especially at the grocery store, with all the masks, background noise, and plastic barriers. I couldn’t understand a word. What finally helped? Just […]

Learn how to read lips No. 19

A superpower when it comes to reading lips is the ability to use the context. As we get older, we become more skilled in using context. The topic is a major clue about the context. Ways to ask for context and the topic are discussed in my free Lipreading Challenge on YouTube. In the meantime, […]

When your partner has hearing loss

Research shows that partners tend to respond more favourably to people with hearing loss (PWHL) who ask specific questions (“Did you say…?”) instead of “What?” or “Huh?” The strategy chosen by the partner is even more important. The most common strategy is repetition. Rephrasing or confirming what you have said may be more effective if […]

Should you talk about hearing loss in a job interview?

When I was in my twenties, I started a summer job as a chambermaid at a Bed and Breakfast. I was excited to live at the B&B with a great view of Halifax harbour. But on my first day, the owner started my training by showing me the phone system (this was in the days […]