Hearing aids can improve your hearing, but they can never completely restore it. Since there will be times when you find yourself in difficult situations, and times when you will have to ask people to repeat themselves, you need to let others know that you are hard of hearing.
Take control
Assert yourself in the various listening situations and do what you need to do - such as asking people to repeat or clarify information. Always try to face the speaker, stand away from noise, and use as many visual cues as possible.
Communication tips
- Ask the speaker to repeat what was said
- Ask the speaker to rephrase what was said
- Ask the speaker to speak more clearly
- Make sure that you can see the speaker
- If the speaker is providing important information, repeat what you have heard for verification
- Inform the speaker that you have a hearing loss
- Never pretend to understand what is being said
