WHEN SOMEONE YOU KNOW
GETS HEARING INSTRUMENTS
When someone close to you gets hearing instruments, you
can expect to see a substantial improvement in their quality
of life. Things might become a little easier for you, too! You
can play a key role in helping them to succeed with their new
instruments - especially in the beginning.
The support of family and friends can be just as important as
the quality of the hearing instruments themselves in determining
whether the new user succeeds in wearing them, or
simply puts them in a drawer.
During the first few days and weeks, people new to hearing
instruments experience many new sounds and stimuli. They
have to get used to a whole new way of living and are in special
need of the support of family and friends. This brochure tells
you what you can do to help your relative or friend get off to
the best possible start with their new hearing instrument(s).
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HOW
YOU
CAN
HELP!

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Studies have shown that the brain takes time to “re-learn to
hear” with hearing instruments.
The hearing-impaired person has to get used to a number of
sounds they haven't heard for some time and perhaps even
forgotten. While it's exciting to recapture these sounds, new
users often find it overpowering. If they feel the need to turn
the volume down too often, they might give up on hearing
instruments altogether.
New users should start the process slowly, just wearing their
instruments a few hours each day in relatively peaceful
settings and gradually increasing use in more challenging
environments. The goal is continual daily use.
You can help someone new to hearing instruments by
accepting that adjustment takes time, and by being patient,
understanding and supportive throughout the process.
RE-LEARNING
TO HEAR
Many people with hearing loss have trouble hearing the soft
“s” sounds in speech, even though some hear lower-pitched
sounds almost normally. This can prevent understanding and
make it seem as though others are mumbling.
Modern hearing instruments are highly advanced. They can
tailor amplification to each user's needs. Still, even the best
hearing instruments cannot completely eliminate background
noise, making speech sometimes difficult to understand.
Ask how the wearer experiences wearing the hearing
instruments in different noise environments. Then you'll
know which sounds or situations to avoid – or when he or she
needs a little extra assistance.
SOME SOUNDS
ARE HARDER
TO HEAR THAN
OTHERS
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TIPS FOR BETTER
COMMUNICATION
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The following tips will help you communicate better with
someone who has a hearing loss.
1. SPEAK CLEARLY AND NATURALLY.
> Speak in a normal tone of voice. Shouting makes many
words unintelligible to a hearing-impaired listener.
> Don’t slow your speech unnaturally. Speak at a pace that
allows words to be distinguished from one another, but
not so slowly that you deaden the natural rhythm of speech.
2. ATTRACT THE LISTENER’S ATTENTION BEFORE YOU
BEGIN SPEAKING.
> Before you begin to speak, be sure hearing-impaired
listeners know you want to communicate.
3. FACE THE LISTENER.
> When speaking to someone with hearing loss, make
sure they can clearly see your mouth – especially in noisy
environments. Most people have a natural ability to lip read.
> Maintain eye contact while speaking.
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4. STAY CLOSE.
> Stay within 1-2 meters of your listener.
> If the listener can hear better on one side, try to stay on that
side.
5. USE BODY LANGUAGE TO EMPHASIZE YOUR FEELINGS
> We communicate a lot more than we realize through facial
expressions, gestures and tone of voice.
6. REPEAT AND REPHRASE IF YOU ARE MISUNDERSTOOD.
> If you need to repeat a sentence, try using different words that
may be easier to understand.
> If someone with a hearing loss walks in during the middle of a
conversation, bring that person up to speed on the subject.
7. ELIMINATE OR DECREASE ROOM NOISE.
> Reduce background noise as much as possible before starting a
conversation. TVs, radios and even other people talking can
greatly affect a hearing-impaired listener's conversational understanding.
> In noisy places, speak directly into the listener's ear at a suitable
volume (not too loud).
> Avoid sitting on the sidewalk or near open windows close to
traffic. When entering a noisy place such as a restaurant, choose
a quiet corner instead of the main seating area.
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By practicing these simple suggestions you'll soon find that
good communication with a hearing-impaired person doesn't
have to be difficult. And remember - a little extra consideration
and effort will go a long way toward helping the new
wearer to fully benefit from their hearing instruments.
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M100364-GB-04.08 Rev. A