Communication techniques

Tips on how to communicate successfully

People who live with a hearing loss may rely on lip reading or other communication techniques to help them understand what is being said. There are many ways the speaker and listener can help.

Positioning and Lighting

• Stand or sit facing the person who is lip reading at a distance of 3 – 4 feet.
• Ensure the surroundings are well lit and face the light.
• Avoid speaking in the dark or direct sunlight.

Background Noise

• Keep background noise to a minimum.
• Close windows and doors.
• Turn off radio/TV
• Ask children to be moved to another room.

Non-Verbal Communication

• Make eye contact before speaking so you know the listener is looking at you.
• Alternatively wave to get the listener’s attention.
• Maintain eye contact when speaking.
• It may seem obvious but avoid wearing sunglasses or anything near the face such as scarves, masks, etc.

Tips for the Speaker

•  Raising the volume of your voice may not be helpful, as it will distort you voice and lip patterns making you harder to lip read.
• Speak clearly with a normal rhythm.
• Be brief – make one point at a time.
• Sentences and phrases are easier to lip read than single words.
• If the person you are speaking to does not understand a word or phrase, rephrase what you have said.
• Write things down if you need to clarify them or British Sign Language (BSL) finger spelling could also help to communicate words which are not being understood by the listener.
• Allow the listener time to decode what you have said so pause between each turn.
• Try and keep your head still; stop talking if you turn away.
• Keep your hands and hair away from your face to maximise visibility.
• Avoid exaggerated facial expressions and lip movements.
• Use gestures where these are relevant.
• If you are talking to a mixed audience of lip readers and those with normal hearing, don’t forget the person who is lip reading. They will be relying on your help to include them in all conversations.
• If you change the subject, make it obvious. For example, pause – make eye contact – and introduce the next subject. One word will give the clue to the next subject.
• Never say “It doesn’t matter”. It does matter or you would not have said it.
• Lip reading can be tiring so try to be concise and consider your priorities in terms of information exchange and topics.

Tips for the Lip Reader

• For those wearing hearing aids make sure they are clean, have working batteries, are in the correct ear and are switched on. Hearing aids may not fit after surgery, so have an alternative plan and tell those around you in advance if you are going to be struggling to hear.
• Try and find the confidence to tell the person you are speaking to that you have a hearing loss and need to lip read. This could avoid embarrassment and frustration and promote more successful communication.
• Try to ensure that the person talking to you is situation on your best side for hearing (if you have one).
• A distance of 3 to 4 feet between speaker and lip reader is the optimum for success.
• Observe facial expression and body language to help you interpret what is being said.
• Make sure the lighting in the room is good and you can see the speaker’s face clearly.
• Try and control the noise around you by closing windows, switching off TVs/radios and asking for children to move to another room.
• Be confident to ask the speaker to repeat themselves.
• Have a communication board nearby if you think that would be helpful.
• Learn some basic British Sign Language (BSL) signs for words/phrases you need more often, or fingerspelling could be helpful .

Visit the RNID website to create your own personalised communication card.