Tips & Tricks

Communicating with Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing People

How can you get their attention?
  • Ask – Ask the individual how they’d like you to get their attention for the next time.
  • Flick the Lights – Flashing will catch their attention easily!
  • Move Yourself – If they can’t see you, they (more than likely) can’t hear you.
  • Tap Shoulder – It’s OK! You can tap their shoulder to get their attention. (Just do it lightly)
What is the best way to communicate with a Deaf or hard-of-hearing person?

ASK.

The individual will be able to tell you how they’d like to communicate – with sign language, speech-reading, verbally, written communication, and more. They know how they best communicate. Don’t assume.

Tips to Remember When Communicating
  • Don’t Yell. It will not make us hear.
  • Don’t OVER-enunciate. That doesn’t make you speak clearer. If the individual reads lips, it actually muddles the words.
  • Speak Normally. If the individual lip-reads, speak normally. Not too slow, not too fast.
  • Face the Individual. Facial and Eye contact is helpful to see the expression to understand tone.
  • Avoid Areas with Excess Noise: Excess background noise can make it harder for the individual to focus if they are lip-reading.
  • Visual Aids May Help. Sometimes seeing a picture can bridge the communication gap.
  • Don’t Place Objects Near Face. If the individual lip-reads, blocking access to your face will mean they can’t see your lips. Those who have facial hair are often more difficult to understand.
  • Rephrase Instead of Repeat. If the individual did not understand, rephrase your statement/question. Don’t keep saying the same thing over and over (unless you have visual aids).
  • ASK the Individual Their Communication Preference. Not all Deaf/Hard-of-hearing people lip-read. Not all Deaf/Hard-of-hearing people speak. Not all Deaf/Hard-of-hearing people use sign language. Ask their preferences – whether it is signing, speaking, lip-reading, texting, writing notes, etc.
  • ASK the Individual How YOU can IMPROVE YOUR Communication.
  • Most of all, BE PATIENT. Be relaxed and patient. This will help the individual know that you are wanting to make sure they are included.
Phrases to Erase from Your Mind
  • Never mind.
  • Don’t worry about it.
  • It’s not important.
  • I’ll tell you later.

These phrases are not only harmful, but also dismissive for the individual. Take the time to make sure that understand you and can follow in the conversation. Inclusion matters.

Using an Interpreter

Below are several reminders if you use an interpreter to communicate with a Deaf or hard-of-hearing individual.

  • Everything is Interpreted. This gives equal access to what a hearing person would hear. Don’t say “You don’t have to interpet that.”
  • Give Time Before Repeating Yourself. It is a 3-way communication: the Deaf individual, the interpreter, and you. You speak, the interpreter interprets, the individual receives the information, they communicate to the interpreter, the interpreter voices to you.
  • Information About the Meeting Before  If possible, having a copy of the agenda, presentation, vocabulary, etc. can help prepare the interpreter.
  • One Person at a Time. The interpreter can only interpret for one person at a time. They cannot interpret multiple people speaking at once.
  • Set Individual Near Interpreter. This allows for the individual to see both the interpreter and you.
  • Talk Directly to the Individual. The individual is who you should communicate with as the interpreter is only providing a service.
Communicating During the Holidays

Holidays can be tough for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing individuals when their family and friends are hearing. They can feel isolated and excluded from conversations – not just during the holidays, but at a regular dinner table. This is known as “Dinner Table Syndrome.”

  • Arrange for Circular Seating. This type of seating allows for faces to be seen for lipreading.
  • ASK What You Can Do. Ask the individual how you can help with communication and let them enjoy the holidays.
  • Check the Area. Make sure that the area is well-lit as Deaf people rely on what they can see to understand conversation and other context. Additionally, make sure to keep sight lines open.
  • Designate a Quiet Area. Over stimulation from noise (for those with hearing aids or cochlear implants) can cause headaches, moodiness, and more. Have a space that is quiet where one-on-one conversations can happen – or there can be a listening break.
  • Hire an Interpreter. If it’s a big gathering, having an interpreter available will help make the individual comfortable if their communication method is signing.
  • Involve them. Don’t just ignore the individual. There are other ways you can communicate (notes, gestures, etc.) Interact with them.
  • Play Deaf-friendly Games. Avoid games that depend on oral cues. Instead, maybe a game of charades – something that relies on visual cues. Click here for a list.
  • Prepare Simple Signs. Educate yourself on how to communicate with them before the holidays!
  • Turn Captions On TV. Turn on closed captions on the TV.  This will allow them to participate in the parade, game, or movie.

Effective communication is key to fostering understanding and respect. Here are some tips to ensure smooth and inclusive communication when interacting with Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing individuals from online:

If you are Deaf or hard-of-hearing and want to share and Tips & Tricks, click to send me an email!