How Do You Effectively Communicate With The Hard-Of-Hearing?
When you meet someone who is hard of hearing or deaf, you may feel awkward trying to communicate with them. Communicating with the deaf is not a lot different than communicating with anyone where you have a language barrier. Identify that there is a hearing problem. Hopefully, the person will communicate this fact to you if it isn’t obvious. They may point to their ear while shaking their head, “no”; or they may hand you a card that identifies them as deaf or hard of hearing. If you are trying to serve a customer whose back is turned and they don’t respond when you greet them, look for hearing aids. Also, a deaf or hard of hearing person may talk with no voice; their lips will move but they will make no sound. Allow the deaf person to take the lead in how they will communicate. Some prefer to read lips; some prefer to communicate with the written word. Make your face visible if the deaf person is reading your lips. This means that you are facing them in good lighting and that you have
