How Family And Friends Can Help - Panasonic WH-416KZ Operating Instructions Manual

How Family and Friends Can Help

If someone of your family has a hearing loss, your support is extremely important. Family members and friends can
play a major supportive role in the life of hearing-impaired people. They may feel helpless, not being able to
communicate effectively. Be supportive of any emotions they may be experiencing and help prevent them from being
socially isolated. Encourage them warmly as they get used to the hearing aid. The more practice and experience they
have in various listening situations, the more accustomed they will be to the hearing aid. The following strategies can
help when communicating with a person with hearing loss.
1
Reduce the distance
between you and
the listener
Be sure to look directly at the
person when speaking. Use
facial expressions, gestures and
body language to give clues.
2
Speak slowly
and clearly
Speak at a reasonable
speed to allow the listener
time to fully comprehend
the conversation.
3
Speak naturally
Avoid loud speech because the
hearing instrument turns the
sound up and the words are
much harder to understand.
4
Repeat yourself if
necessary, using
different words
If the person's reply
doesn't make sense,
repeat what you said
with different words.
31