How To Help Someone Who's Hard Of Hearing
- July 28, 2010
- 459 Views
Writer
Randall Frost
Loss of hearing creates unique lifestyle challenges for those afflicted. Here are some ways to help.
You Will Need
- American Sign Language skills
- Audio simulation tapes
- Literature
- Insurance company
- Flashing light system
- Amplified telephone
- Closed caption television
Step 1: Learn American Sign Language
Learn American Sign Language if the individual is deaf.
Step 2: Communicate face-to-face
Communicate face-to-face, not across the room.
Step 3: Listen to audio tapes
Listen to audio tapes of simulated hearing loss.
Step 4: Read articles
Read articles about hearing loss and ways to communicate around it.
Step 5: Offer assistance
Offer assistance with potentially frustrating tasks. Many insurance companies will not pay reasonable fees for a hearing aid, for example.
Recognize that a hard-of-hearing person may experience frustration, anger, outrage, sadness or even despair when confronted by obstacles not dealt with by those with normal hearing.
Step 6: Install a flashing light system
Install a flashing light system in the individual’s home that activates whenever the doorbell or telephone rings. Make sure it is also linked to the smoke detectors.
Step 7: Use appropriate telephone and TV
Make sure the individual has access to an amplified telephone and television with caption capability.
Step 8: Encourage the individual to be assertive
Encourage the individual to be assertive about his or her needs.
Similarities exist between the hand signs used by Native Americans on the Great Plains and those used in American Sign Language.
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