Maintenance

Helpful Hints

helpful nurse

Tips for Hearing on the Phone

  • Practice using the telephone with your hearing aids.

  • Hold the telephone receiver slightly away from the ear if feedback (whistling) occurs.

  • Use a telephone pad to reduce feedback (ask your Audiologist about how to get a telephone pad).

  • Switch hearing aid to your telephone program if you have this option.

  • If your aid has a T-coil, switch to the "T" setting on your hearing aid, and increase the volume control if necessary.

  • If you are still having problems using your hearing aid on the telephone, consider using an amplified telephone (ask your Audiologist about how and where to purchase one).

 


Hints for Hearing in a Restaurant

  • Call ahead to request a "quiet" table.

  • Sit away from the kitchen and bus stations to reduce the amount of noise.

  • Avoid tables that are near or in the bar area.

  • If using directional microphones, position yourself so that the noise is behind you. DO NOT sit with your back to a wall. The directional microphones only work to reduce the amount of noise that is coming from behind you.

  • Restaurants with wall coverings, rugs, tablecloths, padded seats, and drapes will be less reverberant. These surfaces will absorb some of the environmental noise.

  • Consider avoiding popular restaurants during rush hour, and restaurants with loud music.

 

Communication Strategies

What You Can Do to Improve Communication with Others:

  • Notice background noise. If the area is noisy, move to a quieter location.

    • Pay attention and do not bluff understanding. Concentrate on sentences and topics rather than on words. Ask others to repeat/rephrase what was said or to speak up if you did not understand.

  • Watch the speaker's face—watch their lips, facial expressions. And their gestures.

  • Sit close to the speaker and try to limit the number of people you speak with at one time.

 

What Others Can Do to Improve Communication with a Person with Hearing Loss:

  • Get the person's attention before you begin speaking by calling his/her name or touching them on the shoulder.

  • Use facial expressions and gestures and speak slowly. Do not overemphasize or over exaggerate word and sentences however.

  • Avoid communication in a noisy environment.

  • Rephrase rather than repeat when you are not understood.

  • Do not put objects in front of your face while speaking. Allow the listener to view your lips and facial gestures while speaking.

  • Double-check that key details of a message have been understood correctly.