Hearing Tactics in Victoria

Following a Conversation

Hearing tactics are important skills that can be utilised by the hearing impaired or even those with normal hearing in a variety of situations. Position, location, environment, assertiveness, and even planning are important factors that enhance or detract from the ability to follow a conversation. Below are a number of suggestions that can be used frequently.

Minimise the Amount of Noise

Background noise is very difficult to compete with, so why not move to another room if there is too much noise and turn off electrical items that interfere, like fans, vacuum cleaners and TVs? When going out to restaurants, try to place yourself away from noisy positions like a kitchen doorway or busy passage. Ask for a quiet corner, and don't be embarrassed to mention you have a hearing loss.

Place People Directly in Front of You

• Voice is projected straight ahead and reaches both ears
• Seeing facial expressions is very helpful — it is said that 80 per cent of communication is nonverbal
• Hand gestures communicate a lot of information
• Sit at the head of the table — this ensures that all people at the table will look at you
  

Be Assertive

Possibly, the single most important factor in dealing with hearing loss is to be assertive. All hearing tactics depend on you taking charge of a situation to maximise your ability to understand.

Lighting

Ensure there is enough light in the room. Never have strong light behind the speaker. This goes hand in hand with seeing facial expressions.

Ask People to Speak Slower Rather Than Louder

Just like a jigsaw puzzle — you don't need all the pieces of the puzzle to know what the picture is, so it is with speech; slowing down enables the listener to fill in the blanks.