Communication Tips
These basic rules will help you successfully communicate with deaf people, ensuring mutual respect and satisfaction.
DO’s:
- Ask patient directly the best way to interact
- Have paper and pencil
- Write in short simple sentences; patients (or a family member’s) grammar may not be perfectly correct.
- Convey your willingness to communicate
- Watch facial expressions, eye gaze, etc.
- Repeat if necessary
- Allow for more time
- Look directly at the person, keeping your hands and face toward the deaf person you are speaking with, even when they are looking at an interpreter.
- Do include the deaf person in the conversation.
- Be friendly; they merit the same respect as anyone else.
DON’Ts:
- Don’t assume communication is occurring correctly (nodding does not always mean I understand)
- Don’t underestimate a person’s intelligence.
- Don’t pretend to understand if you don’t.
- Don’t exaggerate your mouth movements or yell.
- Don’t have objects in your mouth, or cover your mouth while speaking (This applies to deaf children and adults).
- If you must discuss something you don’t want interpreted, and then leave the room. Or wait until the Deaf person leaves.
- Don’t repeat the same word if there is difficulty understanding it. Use a synonym.
- Don’t speak to a deaf person with your back to a light, window or mirror .
- Do not refer to them in third person as if he/she was not present.
To get a Deaf Person’s Attention:
Gentle tap the shoulder or arm is best. If entering a room, you can flip the light switch off/on once or twice before entering so they know you are coming in.
Communicating with Speech Readers:
- Wait until the person can see you before speaking.
- Never speak directly into the person’s ear.
- Position yourself 3-6 feet from the person.
- Speak at your normal rate.
- Use appropriate gestures and facial expressions.
- Do not exaggerate your words
- Clue the person about the topic and as the subject of the conversation changes.
- Choose a quiet place, reducing as much background noise as possible.