Caregivers Guide

A Guide for Family Caregivers of Older New Jersey Residents

Section 3 - Changes in Vison, Hearing and Speech

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3.5 Special Reading and Auditory Training

Persons with or without hearing aid(s) might need specialized training in speech reading and auditory training. Speech reading (commonly known as lip reading) enables the person to receive additional visual cues from lip movements, facial expressions, gestures, and body language to aid in auditory comprehension. Auditory training exercises improve listening skill.

Counseling

Counseling by the audiologist can provide both patient and caregiver with a better understanding of how a hearing impairment affects communication. Primary caregivers as well as family members should be aware of problems so that they can lend support and assistance. Without effective counseling, many caregivers might not understand the nature of the communication problem. Household disagreements over such trivial issues as television volume, will ensue. Caregivers must also learn to understand why the person with a hearing loss tends to withdraw socially.

Listening Devices

An audiologist may recommend the purchase of a commercial assistive listening device that may help with understanding speech on the telephone, in a car, in theaters, and when watching television or listening to the radio. Assistive listening devices are amplification systems which improve hearing ability by delivering the desired signal (speech, music, etc.) directly to the listener's ear, thus reducing background noise.

Practical Suggestions

• Communicate face to face so the hearing impaired individual can take advantage of visual cues, such as facial and body gestures.

• Never cover your mouth, mumble, or eat while speaking.

• Get the person's attention before you start talking. Identify your discussion topic. Avoid changing topics rapidly.

• Speak naturally. Speak slightly louder and more slowly, but avoid shouting which will distort the message.

• Remember that the hearing impaired person generally prefers conversation one to one or in a small group where everyone is not talking at once.

• Reduce background noise as much as possible. Turn off the television or stereo or move to a quieter area.

• Avoid remarks such as "he/she can hear when they want to." Hearing ability fluctuates significantly and depends on various complicating factors.

• Never speak directly into a person's ear. This may distort your speech and will hide visual cues that can be derived.

• Never engage in long-range communication, such as talking across the room or from another room. The best distance is no greater than three to six feet.

• Find out if the person has a better car. Position yourself so that your speech is directed toward that ear.

• Rephrase misunderstood statements into short, concise sentences.

• Give written clues, if necessary. Sometimes only one or two written words can clarify a message.

• Long, drawn out conversations should be avoided.

• Expect failures and misunderstandings to occur. Avoid blaming each other for miscommunication and attempt to compensate for the hearing loss in an honest and open manner.

• Refer the person to the audiologist and/or hearing aid dealer, if the hearing aid is not working

• Encourage routine annual hearing evaluations by the audiologist.

• Find out if there is a local chapter of the Self-Help for Hard of Hearing (SHHH) group and plan to attend meetings to gain support and encouragement.

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