Telephone Tips For People With Hearing Loss

Michelle Hopkins

You know that talking on the telephone is a critical part of modern life. Telephones are used for everything from ordering takeout, to communicating with friends and family, and calling for help in an emergency. While hearing aids from a company like Pacific Hearing Care may be a great help in your day to day existence, you may find that telephone communication remains a challenge. These tips will help you speak with callers on the telephone. 

Use the Speaker Phone

Many landline phones and cell phones now have a speaker phone setting. The advantage of this is that you can listen to the conversation with both ears, instead of just one. Many speaker phones also have a volume control, so you can increase the volume as needed. 

Keep a Landline in a Quiet Room

If you live with other people you'll probably find it's harder to talk on the phone in a public part of your house. Background noises like the television and talking family members can make it difficult to hear the person on the other line. Keep a landline in a private room like a bedroom or office, where you can speak without being forced to listen to everything else going on around you. 

Take Advantage of Free Video Calling Services

You may use facial cues and lip reading to follow conversations. Luckily, modern technology has made it easy for almost anyone with an Internet connection to utilize free video calling services. These services allow users to make face-to-face video phone calls through the computer, as long as the person on the other end also subscribes to that video calling service. Sign up for one of these services, and ask your friends and family to do the same. You'll want to buy a webcam for your computer, if your monitor doesn't have one built in. 

Get Caller ID

Picking up the phone and blindly beginning a conversation can be disorienting. Caller ID will tell you who is on the other line when you pick up the phone, which may make it easier to follow.

Explain your Situation

If you've never had a phone discussion with the person on the other line, explain to them that you have hearing loss. This will prompt the person you're speaking with to enunciate more clearly and speak at a louder volume. This will also explain why you ask the person you're speaking with to repeat himself or herself from time to time. If you find it difficult to talk to people about your hearing loss, prepare what you want to say ahead of time, so you can craft a message that makes you comfortable while still communicating your point. 

Knowing how to have functional conversations on the telephone will help you live the life you want to live. If you find yourself having difficulty conducting conversations on the phone, practice with friends and family. This may help you improve your telephone communication skills.


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