Implications for employment and support strategies - Working with a person with a hearing impairment

When working with a person who is deaf or hearing impaired, there are a few things co-workers can do to make communication easier, for example:

• always look and speak directly to the person who is deaf or hearing impaired:
• • don't address questions to their interpreter or other work colleagues
• identify your topic at the beginning of what you say:
• • this allows the person to anticipate words that may be used
• use open ended questions that do not require a 'yes' or 'no' response:
• • this helps to ensure that your questions are being understood
• politely attract the person's attention before speaking to them otherwise they may not realise that you are talking to them:
• • a wave or tap on the arm is acceptable
• make sure the person who is deaf or hearing impaired can see your face clearly:
• • many people who are deaf or hearing impaired lip-read to help themselves understand what is being said, and so it is important that they can see you clearly
  • don't obstruct their view of your lips (for example, by chewing) as this can distort the message
• accents sometimes throw people with a hearing loss, they may need some extra time to adjust to new lip movements
• be aware that you may need to repeat words, but try to rephrase the sentence to trigger new sounds
• be prepared to move to a quieter location
• do not speak with your back to a light source such as a window as this puts your face into shadow and makes lip-reading very difficult
• don't talk while you are walking away
• when trying to put the point across, use visual cues
• if all else fails, write it down:
• • it is better to communicate in some way than to either pretend you understand or totally ignore the person
  • however, some deaf or hearing impaired people will not be comfortable using written English.

A range of skills and technologies may be needed to assist with communication. Use a sign language interpreter or provide co-workers with some language training (for example, in Auslan). Telephone typewriters (TTY) can be installed; these devices allow for written communication using telephone lines.

Written communication is a useful tool. Paper and pen are the most accessible equipment. However, computers, particularly networked and email-connected computer systems, are a new technology enabling faster communication (most people type faster than they write).