Making communicating easier

If you are losing your hearing, one of the most difficult things to come to terms with is the fact that conversations you previously took for granted are now much harder. You may find yourself missing bits of conversations when you are in a group and even one-to-one conversation may become difficult.

It is also important that your family and friends are aware of what can help or hinder communication with you. Speak to the Sensory Loss team who can provide a factsheet with suggestions for making communication easier when talking to someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.

Lipreading

Lipreading can be a very useful skill to develop if you have a hearing loss. The best way to learn is for you and your family and friends to go to classes. Try one of your local Further Education Colleges listed in the telephone directory or visit the Lipreading website

Lipspeakers

If you have an occasion where you know it will be important for you to understand what is being said, you might like to request that a lipspeaker be provided. You may also be able to find a lipspeaker yourself but you may have to pay for their services.

The Lipspeaking website has details on how to find a lipspeaker or a class on how to learn to lipspeak.