How should you communicate with a patient who has hearing impairment?

The most effective way to communicate with a patient who has a hearing impairment is to speak clearly and use non-verbal cues. This approach ensures that the patient can better understand the conversation. Speaking clearly allows for more discernible sounds and words, which may help the patient catch certain phonetic sounds despite their hearing loss. Additionally, incorporating non-verbal cues—such as facial expressions, gestures, and body language—enhances communication by providing visual context that supports the verbal message.

Using excessive voice volume can be overwhelming and may cause discomfort without necessarily improving comprehension. Speaking softly and quickly is counterproductive, as it reduces visibility of lip movements and can confuse patients who rely on visual information. Avoiding eye contact is detrimental because it hinders the patient's ability to read lips and observe facial expressions, which are crucial for understanding in individuals with hearing challenges. Thus, combining clear speech with meaningful non-verbal cues creates the best communication environment for patients with hearing impairments.