Hearing Loss CPR offers tips and techniques you can use when communicating with the hearing impaired or explaining yourself to others if you are the person with the hearing loss. If I had this information when I was younger, it would have made my life easier.
CPR
We already know that shouting does not help when communicating with a person that has a hearing loss. Especially if you are shouting right into their ear. That robs them of the benefit of reading your body language, facial expressions, eyes, and lips.
I have come up with a simple technique you can use when you recognize you are communicating with the hearing impaired. Encapsulated in the simple acronym “CPR” for ease in memory and recall – and the fact that it can rescue a conversation from dying. This is the core of my TEDx talk on the subject.
Here is how Hearing Loss CPR can help in communicating with the hearing impaired
“C”: Close and Content
Close:
Have the person close to you and looking at you. 3-5 feet is best. This enables the person with the loss to capitalize on the dynamics of hearing. Those dynamics are body language, facial expressions (which includes the lips) tone of your voice – all of which account for 94% of speech comprehension. That means hearing! Even for those with perfect hearing!
Content:
As I discussed earlier, hearing is a function of the ear, while comprehension is a brain function. Make sure the person knows what it is you are talking about right from the start. Preface the introduction of new, unexpected words with information that identifies the content.
When you change the subject, you can say, “new subject.” Then get confirmation before beginning.
Pause:
Those of us who do public speaking know the importance of the pause. There is a slight delay while the brain receives sound and tries to make sense of it – more so with those of us with a hearing loss. The pause between sentences enables the listeners to ABSORB the message we have just given them. This is doubly critical when communicating with a person with diminished hearing. If you can communicate using shorter sentences with pauses in-between, communication is more straightforward. Here is an example:
You might say to me:
“I am going to the store to pick up some milk. I am making ice cream tonight for dessert.”
If you said that fast with no pauses, I probably would not get it on the first pass. Especially if it is not connected to a topic, we have already been discussing.
“What?” I’d ask.
Applying the pause would sound like this:
“I am going to the store. [pause] I am picking up some milk. [pause] I am making ice cream tonight for dessert.”
Ah, at this juncture, my eyes would probably light up, and I’d say, “Oh cool! Can I join you?”
If you do this aloud, you can feel how much easier this is to hear and comprehend. Less work to hear for anyone!
If trying to do an entire conversation this way is challenging, at least use the pauses and shorter sentences when establishing the topic and content.
Point:
It is helpful to point to whatever you are talking about if you can. For example, my friend could have pointed to the ice cream maker then spoke about getting milk at the store to make ice cream for dessert.
What I often see is frustrated folks at a registration table at conferences and events. Even if they do not have a hearing problem, the background noise is a real detriment to understanding instructions. Doubly so if a person has a hearing loss.
Do not point and talk at the same time! A person cannot look at where you are pointing and read your face at the same time. So, say what you are going to say, then point, or vice versa. Always make sure the person is looking at you when you speak.
“R”: Repeat and Rephrase
I created a cartoon titled “Soup or Salad” based on a person’s real experience with a hearing loss at a restaurant. The waiter kept repeating the question, “Would you like soup or salad?” and the customer kept answering “yes” because what she heard the waiter ask is, “Would you like a super salad?” I think all those in the service industry should receive training on communicating with customers who have trouble hearing! This is especially true when the hearing is compromised in the noisy environment of a restaurant! When a person says “what” or clearly did not hear you correctly, repeat yourself. After two attempts, try rephrasing. This is how that looks:
You might say:
“I am going to the store.”
“What?” says me.
You apply “R” and repeat.
“I am going to the store.”
“Pardon me?” is still my response, accompanied by a slightly twisted face.
You then apply the “R” but this time REPHRASE:
“Market. I am going to the market.”
“OHHHHH,” I say as I finally get it.
Communication achieved!
The waiter depicted in the cartoon could have rephrased his question after two failed attempts and ask, “Would you prefer a bowl of soup or a salad?” No confusion there!
When communication is compromised, for whatever reason, try the CPR technique to rescue a conversation from dying, leaving you and the listener frustrated.
When all else fails, pull out your cell phone and write or type some keywords, phrases and let the person read it.
When communicating with the hearing impaired
Communication with the hearing impaired takes caring, attention, and work – for both sides. Of course, our ability to communicate successfully with or as a person with a hearing loss also depends on the hearing loss type and severity. Applying Hearing Loss CPR will help! Even when communicating with those who have good hearing! All this is covered in more detail in the truncated and full version of my books.
