Age-related hearing loss is common. About one-third of people between the ages of 65 and 75, and nearly half of those over the age of 75, have a hearing impairment.
Here are a few tips to make it easier to communicate with a person who has lost some hearing:
l Make sure your patient can hear you. Ask if the patient has a working hearing aid. Look at the auditory canal for the presence of excess earwax.
l Talk slowly and clearly in a normal tone. Shouting or speaking in a raised voice actually distorts language sounds and can give the impression of anger.
l Avoid using a high-pitched voice; it is hard to hear.
l Face the person directly, at eye level, so that he or she can lip-read or pick up visual clues.
l Keep your hands away from your face while talking, as this can hinder lip-reading ability.
l Be aware that background noises, such as whirring computers and office equipment, can mask what is being said.
l If your patient has difficulty with letters and numbers, give a context for them.
For instance, say, “‘m’ as in Mary, ‘two’ as in twins, or ‘b’ as in boy.” Say each number separately (e.g., “five, six” instead of “fifty-six”). Be especially careful with letters that sound alike (e.g., m and n, and b, c, d, e, t, and v).
l Keep a note pad handy so you can write what you are saying. Write out diagnoses and other important terms.
l Tell your patient when you are changing the subject. Give clues such as pausing briefly, speaking a bit more loudly, gesturing toward what will be discussed, gently touching the patient, or asking a question.