communication expedients used by people with hearing loss
There may be times when, despite the best efforts of both parties to a
conversation, the person with hearing loss just doesn’t understand
what is being said. This will be more likely to happen when conditions
are less than ideal. For example, the environment might be especially
noisy, people might be tired, etc.
If a conversation that was expected to progress smoothly is
repeatedly requiring the use of expedients, the participants might ask
themselves if are fighting an uphill battle, and might decide to conduct
the conversation under more favorable circumstances.
Under normal situations, expedients can be of great benefit when communication
breaks down. Of course, both participants must also be conscious of
adhering to the general tips discussed in the sections on the speaker
and listener.
Repetition
The most common expedient is the use of repetition. If a person
misses information, he may ask for the speaker to repeat. A simple
repetition may be sufficient, and the conversation can continue.
Rephrasing
Sometimes, the listener may not understand after repeated attempts.
In these situations, the listener may be stumbling over a single words
or a very few words. It is, therefore, often beneficial for the speaker
to rephrase, or to say the same thing using different words.
Writing
Another expedient is to write. Many persons with hearing loss
routinely carry pencil and paper to facilitate this method. It can
require a bit of patience on the part of the speaker to write something
rather than to continue attempting communication using his voice.
However, if repetition and rephrasing prove ineffective, writing may be
the most productive alternative.
Bluffing
If you mention the word "bluffing" around people with
hearing loss, you're likely to be greeted with a sheepish grin. It's
something all do, but really are not proud of. Sometimes the listener
will miss a single word and pretend to get it. Other times, he'll be
clueless to the entire conversation, not even knowing the subject!!! The
listener is observing your body language and providing appropriate
responses, but is totally lost.
People with hearing loss generally resort to bluffing in
"unimportant" situations. It can be a perfectly innocent
social expedient. However, in the event of an unrealized (by the
listener) topic change, it can lead to comical or even dangerous
situations.
