Verbal communication is made up of 4 different parts: The audible spoken word, facial expressions, lip movement, and body language.
Mask wearing, though absolutely necessary in today’s environment, unfortunately impacts 3 of the 4 parts, making communication difficult for the hearing impaired.
We want to share with you ways to help minimize the mask wearing barrier to effective communication.
Be Assertive
Sharing with the person you are talking to, whether it be a friend, family member or a stranger, the points below will go a long way in easing communication. This proactive step will lessen the aggravation and anxiety of missing important information and help educate those around you:
- You have hearing loss, so masks make communication difficult
- They should leave the mask on
- They should make good eye contact, speak clearly, and project their voice without yelling
Stream It
Most new hearing devices have the ability to partner with accessories, like a remote microphone, which allows sound to be wirelessly transmitted into your hearing devices. Please contact us to learn more about these accessories and what would be the best fit for your hearing devices. Prices start at $299.
Live Listen
If you have an iPhone and made-for-iPhone hearing aids, familiarize yourself with the Live Listen feature, which turns your smartphone into a remote microphone that wirelessly transmits sound directly to your hearing aids.
Google Live Transcribe
Those with Android phones also have an option in Live Transcribe, an app that transcribes speech in real time. It’s ideal for one-on-one conversation amid heavy background noise.
It uses large, easy-to-read text and supports up to 70 different languages. You can learn how to use it here .
iPhone is a trademark of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation!