Coronavirus Communication Challenges and Tips for Those With Hearing Loss

Face masks, working from home, distance education and staying 6 feet apart are all part of the new normal lifestyle brought on by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. And they can all present communication challenges for people who cope with hearing loss. These hearing loss communication tips can help.

Hearing loss and communicating during Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you’re worried about a loved one who has difficulty hearing but won’t acknowledge it, there’s no better time than now to start a conversation and gently guide them toward getting help. If you or a loved one already has hearing loss, consider these hearing loss communication tips for overcoming Coronavirus communication challenges:

• Experiment with hearing aid settings to find what works best for listening to people in face masks, by phone or teleconference, and at a 6-foot distance
• Use text messaging, email, online chat or handwritten notes when necessary.
• Encourage people you regularly communicate with to learn basic sign language.
• During conversations, periodically stop and check that everyone is understanding each other.
  • Encourage people you regularly communicate with to wear clear face masks or shields.
  • Ask people wearing masks to turn toward you, slow down speech and talk a little louder than usual.
  • Try to hold conversations where there is minimal background noise.
  • When communicating with strangers, consider carrying a handwritten message explaining your hearing loss and sharing a quick tip to aid communication. Or save the message on your smartphone or tablet using a digital flashcard app.
  • Tap into technology, such as noise reduction features on hearing aids and smartphone apps that amplify sound or automatically turn speech into text.
  • If you have hearing aids, see if they have Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to directly stream audio from your computer, smartphone or tablet.
  • Use earbuds or headphones, which deliver sound closer to your ear and help block external noise.
  • Turn on closed captioning in your computer or tablet settings, or download an app for your smartphone.
  • Let co-workers know how they can help. For instance, ask them to:
    • Use video conferencing instead of phone calls when possible
    • Use the mute button when not talking to cut down on unwanted noise
    • Sit in a well-lit area
    • Use screen share and chat to complement verbal discussions

Coronavirus communication challenge: face masks

Face masks muffle sound, hide lips and obscure facial expressions — making it harder than ever for people with hearing loss to stay tuned-in to conversations at home, at school and at work. (Note that many of the tips below are also useful in social distancing scenarios.)

Hearing loss communication tips to consider when wearing face masks

Coronavirus communication challenge: Remote work and remote schooling

Telecommuting for work or school often means communicating via teleconferencing. If you have hearing loss, this can be a challenge when people don’t use their webcam, don’t squarely face the camera, have excessive background noise or sit in a poorly lit area.

Hearing loss communication tips for remote work and remote schooling

Take care of yourself

Coping with hearing loss while dealing with our new normal lifestyle can be tiring and hard on your mental health So make sure to give yourself quiet-time breaks where you can relax and re-energize. Also, ask your audiologist for additional ideas they may have to improve the performance of your hearing device despite face masks, remote work and schooling, and social distancing.

The CareCredit credit card is an easy way to pay for consultations, as well as hearing aids, assisted listening devices and accessories at locations in the CareCredit network nationwide.* Use the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a location near you that accepts CareCredit.