Source: Action on Hearing Loss, Hearing Link
Your audiologist will discuss with you whether your hearing loss is mild, moderate, severe or profound. Ask them if there are any devices you can use to help you, such as hearing aids, and what your options are to support you in managing your condition. These may include:
Before starting a conversation, let people know that you lipread. It can be confronting to be that open straight away, but there is nothing to be embarrased about, you have the right to take part in the conversation. It can be difficult to follow the conversation if you are stressed or anxious, being calmer means we can take more in
Stand close enough to the person you are speaking to so you can see their face and lips. Facial expressions and gestures can help you to follow what is being said.
Ask people to get your attention before they start talking, and let them know how you prefer them to do it. This might mean asking them to approach you in your eyeline, or tap you on the shoulder if you are OK with that.
If your hearing is better in one ear than the other, position yourself so that the speaker is closest to your good ear. Ask people to swap places with you if you need.
Don’t be shy to ask for what you need. If you miss what has been said, ask the speaker to repeat it or to phrase it differently. If you are struggling to follow the speaker, ask them to slow down or speak more clearly.
Everyone mishears things, so don’t be too self conscious.
Find the professionals that will support you on a regular basis. This could include your audiologist or hearing therapist, counsellor and emotional/practical support from an individual, charity or peer support group.
These people will become Team You. It is important to build a support network to help you navigate the transition and ensure you that you don’t have to go through hearing loss/deafness alone.
Hearing loss can involve making a lot of changes to your life, which can be overwhelming and stressful. See our pages on Stress, Mental Health and Wellbeing for tips on how to relax, and strageties for improving your mental and emotional wellbeing.
There are loads of apps on the market that can help people with hearing loss. Ask your audiologist or peer support group if they can reccomend any. For starters:
If you are finding your hearing loss makes it more difficult to work, there may be reasonable adujstments that can be made. Work with your employer to see if there are any adjustments you or they can make that will make your working life easier or more comfortable. You can also ask your employer to refer you to Occupational Health for a worplace assessment, where we will produce a report of reccomendations taking your workplace and job role into account.
Reasonable adjustments could include:
It is important that your colleagues know how they can support you, ask for deaf awareness training if you feel that your workplace may benefit from one.
