Good communication habits

Whether you are thinking about getting hearing devices or know someone who wears them. There are a number of ways to make communicating easier.
As we all know, communication is a two-way thing. It's not only up to the hearing device user, family and friends can do a lot to help - especially in the following areas:

1. Talk face to face
• Move closer! The closer you are to the parson you're speak¬ing with, the easier it is for you to understand what's being said.
 • Face the person you are talking to. Visual clues like facial expressions and lip movements do a lot to help listeners understand your words.
 • Stand where your face is well lit. This makes it easier to see your facial expressions and read your lips.
 • Try not to talk while chewing or while leaning your cheek on your hand - it makes it harder to understand what you are saying, and almost impossible for others to read your lips. 

2. Speak naturally but clearly
• Speak at a normal conversational level. Most instruments amplify a normal level of speech, so if you shout it may become too loud or even painful for the listener.
 • Try not to talk too fast. Speak naturally. but try to enunciate your words more clearly. This will naturally slow your speech but be careful not to overdo it.
• Try re-phrasing sentences rather than just repeating your-self, if your companion has trouble understanding. Some words are easier to hear or lip read than others.
• Take turns at talking whenever you are in a group, and try not to interrupt each other. 

3. Create a better sound environment
 All over the world people are exposed to increasing amounts of sound during a normal day. More people, more traffic, more machines -the list is endless. This provides food for thought.
We know that long-term exposure to loud sound can damage our hearing, so we have a common obligation to promote a good sound environment i.e. clear out surroundings of unnecessary noise. Think bout situations where you could make a dif- ference.
These are just some of them: 
• Keep the volume of the TV radio or CD player at a manageable level.
• Don't expose your ears to high-volume music through headphones.
• Wear earplugs at loud concerts or clubs.
• Wear Par protectors when working with heavy machinery or mowing the lawn.
• Protect your ears from louder explosions(fireworks, gunfire etc.).
                   Don't wait till your hearing gets worse - start right now!