9 Ways to Communicate Effectively With Your Deaf Loved One

Since approximately 2 to 4 out of 1000 people in the United States are deaf, the odds are good that most people know or have contact with someone with complete hearing loss.  Hearing Associates of Las Vegas wants to take a deeper look on how to communicate with your friend, co-worker, or loved one who has hearing loss or deafness.

Communicating with someone who cannot hear requires empathy and determination, especially when that person is a loved one. Here are some strategies to communicate with a deaf person:

Understand what it means to be deaf

What does “deaf” mean? The term deaf means that a person is unable to hear and process speech. They rely on visual or, in the case of deaf-blind people, tactile input for communication. A person who is hard of hearing has enough hearing to use a hearing device to process speech.

Are deaf people disabled? 

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a deaf person is considered disabled and entitled to the same civil rights as hearing people, including equal access and employment opportunities, education, medical care, and justice.

This, however, is a legal definition of disability. Within the deaf community, terms that imply disability, such as hearing impaired, are disfavored because people who are deaf feel that it focuses on what they cannot do rather than their capabilities.

According to surveys, the terms deaf and hard of hearing are preferred. In fact, Deaf (with a capital D) refers to the greater deaf community, a culture based around American Sign Language (ASL).  

How do deaf people feel in the hearing world? 

Deaf people can feel excluded when they cannot understand a conversation and are told that the conversation is not important.  They can feel isolated and unable to participate in social situations with family or friends. 

How do deaf people communicate, and What Can You Do?

All deaf people do not communicate the same way.  People with hearing often make assumptions, frequently based on representations in the media, about how deaf people communicate. 

Each person who is deaf has their own needs and preferences for communicating, which can vary depending on whether they are conversing with another deaf person or with a hearing person.  American Sign Language, lip reading, writing, technology, and cued speech are some of the tools they might use, which can be used alone or in conjunction with each other.

Get their attention

When approaching a deaf individual, get their attention before beginning a conversation.  Deaf people often wave their hands in another deaf person’s line of sight, or you can tap them  on the shoulder. If the deaf person is facing away from you, you can signal someone to point to you.

Be aware of the importance of the environment.

Successful communication with a deaf person can be heavily dependent on the environment.  Since deaf people use visual input, lighting is critical to understanding, especially for those who use lip reading. 

Don’t stand in front of a light source when speaking because it puts your face in shadow, causing a deaf person to have difficulty seeing your lips and facial expressions. 

Be persistent, not dismissive

Communication with a deaf person requires the same persistence needed for communicating with a hearing person.  When a deaf person who is lip reading does not understand something that has been said, the topic should not be dropped or deemed unimportant. 

Come at the subject from a different direction. Repeat or rephrase if necessary. Use writing or texting to help clarify information. Deaf people appreciate that your focus is on helping them to understand.

Be inclusive

Social events geared toward family are essential to family bonding and communication.  Having a deaf person at an event geared towards those with hearing, such as a holiday gathering, can require additional preparations, but it is worth the time. 

Name tags for unfamiliar or new family members can help everyone become comfortable conversing.  Providing access to pen and paper can encourage communication between deaf and hearing loved ones. Once familiar with preparations, the next social event will be easier to plan, and your deaf loved one will feel comfortable.

Make conversations easier to follow.

• Stick with the topic. Deaf people reading lips sometimes miss words or phrases in a conversation and use context clues to fill in the gaps. This is easier to accomplish when they know the subject being discussed.
• Make the transition to new topics easier. Use conversational tags to show the subject is about to change. “Let’s talk about our trip to the mountains” is an excellent way to show the shift in topics.

Give them time to process information

Since a deaf person must rely on visual input, they need time to process information.  Don’t worry about short lags when conversing.

Learn American Sign Language

American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete visual language used by the Deaf community in North America. Like other world languages, it has its own grammar and syntax. If you have a deaf loved one who uses sign language, learning ASL can enhance your communication and show your commitment to understanding their community. 

Classes are available online and in local communities. There are also apps and online videos that can help.

Relax.

Communication between a deaf person and one with hearing can sometimes seem awkward. Mistakes will occur on both sides. The most important thing you can do to communicate with a deaf loved one is to relax.  

There is no perfect way to communicate in the hearing world, so don’t expect perfection when speaking with a deaf person. Don’t be stressed or embarrassed about them. If the mistakes are funny, share the humor and laugh together, then try again! 

Invest the time in gaining the tools to communicate with your deaf loved one.  It will pay off with a stronger relationship. If you have questions about your or loved ones hearing health, contact Hearing Associates of Las Vegas.