Living with a person with hearing difficulties

| Hearing loss is one of the problems that most affect older people: one in three people between 60 and 85 years of age suffers from hearing loss

The cause of in older people is mainly the loss of sound receptor cells (hair cells in the ear), facilitated by problems such as, and other cardiovascular problems. But hearing loss and deafness are also caused by the environment. For example, in industrialized societies it is common to be exposed to high decibels that can affect the inner ear and eardrum (concerts, headphones, etc.). The consequences of low hearing are not only physical but also emotional and social, with withdrawal, isolation from the environment and a greater possibility of suffering from depression and anxiety.

Measures to take into account

For people with hearing problems, it is not always possible, even with the help of the best hearing aids, to regain perfect hearing. For this reason, it is necessary that both people who have deafness problems, and those related to them (family, friends, caregivers, etc.) take into account simple measures to improve communication between them:

• Before you start speaking, get their attention with a light touch (for example, on their shoulder) or make a discreet signal. Make sure they are paying attention to us.
• Wait until they are looking at us to start talking to you.
• If it is a group conversation, it is necessary to respect the turns between the interlocutors and indicate who is going to intervene.
• Speak up front and emphasize where the other person hears best.
• Allow a good view of their mouth while you are speaking to them, such as covering their mouths with their hands while speaking. Do not talk with your mouth full, chewing gum or smoking. Remember that the person with hearing problems helps by reading their lips.
• Speak clearly, vocalizing well and not very fast; do it naturally.
• Not scream. Speak at a normal volume, unless instructed otherwise.
• Avoid noisy places to talk to someone who is deaf. Thinking that ambient noise is causing interference to the hearing aid.
• When they don't understand us, clarify the sentence using simpler words. Write them down if necessary.
• Use gestures to explain yourself. Give clues or visual clues when we want to change the topic of the conversation.
• Repeat the message if you don't understand it. Say the same thing with simpler but correct sentences and with words that have the same meaning.
• Use natural gestures, written words or drawings to facilitate understanding of the message.
• It is interesting to use technical aids such as hearing aids, volume boosters in telephones, lights to replace bells (telephone or doors); vibration devices in pillows that replace the traditional alarm clock, etc.
• Above all, you have to be very patient, positive and cheerful.