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Did you know that 3rd – 9h May is Deaf Awareness Week? To mark the occasion, we thought we would share some of our tips to make sure that you are as D/deaf aware as possible – that way you can help make your organisation, or even just your day to day life, as accessible as possible.

Did you know that the World Health Organisation has estimated that about 466 million people around the world are living with hearing loss? They think that by 2050, that figure will likely double, meaning that one in 10 people will have significant hearing loss over the next 30 years.

There are lots of ways that we can be a little more aware of those who are D/deaf or hard of hearing. Here are some ways that you can make life easier for those around you.

Understanding what deafness is…

Firstly, it is helpful to understand what deafness or being hard of hearing is. It is important to know that deafness is a spectrum, so if someone says they are deaf, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are profoundly deaf, but at the same time, it could mean that the do not hear anything at all. Hearing loss varies from person to person, so it is important to have a conversation, preferably somewhere quiet without surrounding noise so that you can figure out the best way to go forward.
For some people, they may wear hearing aids or cochlear implants – while others will sign, which will give you more of an idea, but make sure to speak to the individual so you can tailor your service.

Speaking of having a conversation…

Of course, one of the things about being D/deaf or hard of hearing is the issue around communication, especially if you aren’t sure how to approach a conversation. Each person will have different ways of communicating, some will use sign language or Makaton – though depending on where in the world they are from will depend on what signs they use. Others will use lip reading or an interpreter. Some may not use any of these, they are able to hear enough to be able to converse and respond directly. However they choose to communicate, make sure to provide the right environment, so provide a quiet, friendly space for them.

Using the correct identifiers

For some, deafness is an identity. Deaf with a capital refers to this, while deaf with a lower case d just refers to the actual condition of deafness in practical terms. Not everyone will identify as Deaf, even if they are deaf – again this is something you should discuss to make sure that you provide the right service.


Recognising that someone is struggling

It might not be immediately obvious that someone is D/deaf or hard of hearing – here are a few ways that you can observe whether someone is able to hear you clearly or if they need a little extra help.

  • If someone is asking you to repeat yourself
  • If someone seems confused during the conversation
  • If they appear to ignore you when you’re trying to get their attention
  • They pay close attention to your face when you are speaking
  • They communicate with gestures

If you notice any of these, move to a quieter environment, where you can make them more comfortable. If you are trying to get someone’s attention and you think they may be D/deaf or hard of hearing, try moving into their field of vision or use hand gestures to indicate that you want to speak to them.
 

Remember – how you stand/ sit is important

When it comes to communicating with someone who is D/deaf or hard of hearing, how you position yourself is critical. Face the person and try to maintain the same eye level, for example stand if they are standing or sit if they are sitting. Be sure to maintain eye contact with them and give them a clear view of your face.

Be aware of how you speak
If you’re speaking to someone who is D/deaf or hard of hearing, you might be tempted to just speak louder and over exaggerate your facial expressions – don’t. Lip reading is quite difficult and whether someone understands will depend entirely on whether you have facial hair, an accent, a mask… Trying to exaggerate your words or slowing down your speech will not help, it will actually make it more difficult for you to be understood. Instead, speak clearly and steadily without mumbling or shouting. Make sure you’re positioned in a way so that they can see your face and try to keep your mouth uncovered. Of course, at the moment with having to wear face masks this isn’t always possible, but where you can, it is good practise to leave your mouth clear.

Don’t over gesticulate
Not everyone knows sign language, but it is important not to go overboard when using gestures – it is easy to confuse it and be disrespectful without meaning to. Use a few simple gestures just to put your point across.

Use your written words
Never be afraid to write something down or use technology to transcribe something – people will appreciate that you are trying and some D/deaf people actually prefer writing things down.

Always remember – everyone is different and there is nothing wrong with having a conversation to establish the best way you can help them.

Looking for more ways that you can make yourself accessible? Get in touch to find out more about our training packages.

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