Effective communication is a vital part of everyday life, yet for individuals with hearing impairment, it can often present unique challenges. While hearing aids and other assistive technologies have made significant strides in improving auditory perception, they are sometimes unable to fully restore hearing.

Significant damage to the inner ear can result in “dead regions” of the cochlea that cannot be stimulated. The auditory nerve or auditory area of the brain can atrophy, resulting in poor speech comprehension in background noise.

As a result, even with hearing aids, people with hearing loss may still struggle to follow conversations—particularly in noisy environments or group settings.

This article explores practical communication tips that can help bridge the gap and foster more inclusive, effective interactions for the hearing impaired.

1. Speak clearly and in your regular tone of voice.

2. Don’t shout. Shouting distorts your voice, making it harder for the person with hearing loss to understand you.

2. Get the person’s attention before speaking.

3. Be in the same room to have a conversation. Face the person as you speak.

4. Stand or sit 3-6 feet from the listener.

5. Don’t block your mouth when speaking.

6. Talk in quieter places. Eliminate background noise, such as sounds from the TV.

7. Turn on more lights in the room when possible—or move to a room with good lighting.

8. Say the phrase or message in a different way if it appears that a person is having difficulty understanding you.

9. Turn on captioning when watching TV or talking over video platforms such as Zoom.

10. Be patient. Understand that the person with hearing loss may be frustrated with any communication breakdowns. Communication is a two-way street, so do your part to ensure a successful interaction.

You may not remember to do all these things all the time, but you can vastly improve a person’s communication success by trying your best.

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Watch Dr. Sondra Rierson in her May 2025 Facebook Live video on the topic of improving the ear-to-brain connection through audiobooks and computer games.

Read more:

• The Link Between Untreated Hearing Loss and Social Isolation
• The Impacts of Untreated Hearing Loss
• The Stigma of Hearing Loss
• Troubleshooting Tips for Dead Hearing Aids