How You Can Help Deaf People

How You Can Help Deaf People

People who become deaf or hard of hearing in adult life have different problems from people who are born deaf. They have to learn different ways of behaving and different ways of communicating - perhaps at a time when learning is not all that easy
Hearing Aids

A hearing aid is not a complete solution to the problem Sound heard through an aid is distorted and seems to have a lot of background noise. So while an aid is helpful in a quiet, carpeted room, it can be very difficult to use in the street in the rush hour, in a station ticket office, a cinema or a concert hall. So even with a hearing aid, deaf people have to lip-read as well.

Lip Reading

Lip-reading is difficult and needs great concentration. The lip-reader must have a clear, direct view of the speaker's face. You may notice a lip-reader change his position when you talk to him: this is so he can get more light on your face. The lip-reader can't do anything else at the same time as lip-read: he has to stop eating, stop reading, stop washing-up, stop everything in order to concentrate on what is being said.

How You Can Help

First you can help by understanding the problem. Think what it's like trying to communicate on a very bad telephone line. Frustrating, isn't it? Deaf people have to face that all the time. So if someone doesn't seem to understand or listen to what you say, don't just assume it is stupidity or rudeness: it might be deafness.

	When you are talking to some one who cannot hear normally, remember - Speak clearly, slowly and raise your voice slighly. But never shout at someone wearing a hearing aid. And don't over-exaggerate lip movements.
Face the deaf person directly Make sure your face is well lit.
	Use gestures to make your meaning clear.
If it helps, use pencil and paper too.
	Don't hide your mouth with your hand, a pipe or cigarette.