If you are dealing with hearing loss, you may be struggling to live life as normal. However, it is possible for you to get your life back on track. You just need to know how to live with hearing loss and be prepared to ask for help.
Below, you will find some tips that could help you to live with hearing loss so every day is easier.
Consider Getting Help
You may find that you need a little more emotional support now that you’re struggling with hearing loss. This is perfectly ok as losing your hearing can have a large impact on your life. No matter why you have hearing loss, there is help out there. Counseling can be very useful. You may be encouraged to do something about the loss, for example, getting the best hearing aids. You may also be encouraged to spend time with others who are going through the same thing. Talking with those who have lost their hearing can help you to feel as if you are not alone.
Learn to Communicate Differently
Now is the time for you to learn how to communicate differently. There are different ways for you to communicate with people and you may prefer one method over another. The good news is that each of these communication methods is fairly easy to use.
Lipreading
Try lipreading to see if it helps you. When someone is speaking to you, make sure that they face you and you can clearly see their face. Ask them to speak as they normally would. They may feel inclined to exaggerate the movement of their lips. However, this is unlikely to help you. Ask them to speak normally. If they want to speak to you when you’re turned away, ask them to get your attention before they begin speaking.
When you cannot lipread
If you’re speaking on the telephone or someone you’re talking to is wearing a mask, there are methods you can use. You do not have to struggle to understand what they’re saying. You can ask them to speak clearly and to repeat themselves if you’ve not heard them. If the area around you is noisy, ask to move somewhere quieter as this will help.
Consider using hearing aids or asking someone to write down what they want to say. You could use a piece of paper or a phone to help you with this.
Consider Taking Lipreading Classes
Most people can lipread a little. However, if you’re struggling with your hearing, lipreading classes could be ideal for you. Classes such as this tend to be taught by a qualified teacher and they can be very useful. You can be taught how to read lips based on the mouth’s different shapes and the sounds they produce. You may even learn how you can fill in the gaps when you’re struggling to hear all of what someone’s saying. You can also use various clues that you can gain from a conversation and its context.
Use Subtitles
It may be tempting for you to turn up the volume on your television. However, there’s always a chance that the volume will be too loud for other people, including your neighbors. Use subtitles instead as they tend to work quite well. After a while, you will get used to watching television with the subtitles on.
Different television channels and on-demand video channels tend to have different subtitles. The subtitles may be available in one size only on one channel but multiple sizes on another. Try to find a size of subtitle that works for you and is comfortable to read. Subtitles are available for most shows and movies these days, so you’re unlikely to feel left out.
How to Tackle Video Calls
These days, we tend to make more video calls than ever before. Calls such as these can be hugely convenient. However, they can be hard to deal with if you have a hearing loss. The good news is that you can make video calls so much easier on yourself.
Ask those that you’re speaking with to sit in a well lit area. Ideally, any source of light should be in front of them. Light that is behind them can cast a shadow and make it hard for you to lipread. You may also want to make sure that only one person talks at a time. If more than one person is talking it can be hard to pick up what’s being said.
If the video call software you’re using has a chat function, use it. You can still enjoy a video call, but the chat function can be handy. When numbers or addresses need to be exchanged, the chat box can be the ideal place to add this information to. It can also make video calls a lot more fun and something to look forward to.
Consider Learning Sign Language
You don’t have to become a sign language expert. However, learning a little bit of sign language can be very useful. It can be an easy way for you to communicate what you’re saying with relative ease.
Consider going to sign language classes with someone you tend to spend a lot of time with. When they learn a little sign language they can quickly understand what you’re saying. They may also find it an easy way to communicate their needs as well.
It is possible for you to live life to the full even if you are struggling to hear. You just need to get used to making a few changes here and there. Please make sure you ask for help if you are struggling with your hearing. There is a lot of help available these days and you don’t have to struggle on your own. Use the above tips to help you learn to live with your hearing loss. After a while, you may find that you’re no longer struggling and everyday life seems much more manageable.