Tips for dealing with hearing impaired people
Wearing a face mask is becoming mandatory in more and more places. This causes communication problems for the approximately 1.3 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the Netherlands. If everyone wears a mask, they can no longer lip read. What can you do if you are deaf or hard of hearing now that more and more face masks are (have to be) worn? And what can the environment do?
Are you deaf or hard of hearing? As difficult as it is, indicate that you cannot hear well or are deaf. It may sound quite simple, but it certainly isn’t for everyone. And especially not if you have to declare it twenty times a day.
But still, even if it is not easy, by indicating it, you often get understanding and in most cases someone else will make an effort to make themselves understood. Often it is ignorance and people really want to help.
Don’t want to have to say it all day, but do you want to make it clear? Then there are also small stickers available that you can stick on your mouth cap. If you don’t want to walk with them all the time, you can easily remove them again. Signs and other products are also available. The so-called ‘Limited Hearing’ products. These are available on the World Wide Visible website.
Pen and paper
With a short question or a short conversation, you can ask someone to write something down for you instead of speaking. What is also possible is to use a smartphone with a special dictation function. It allows you to convert spoken words into text. You can tap the microphone button on your keyboard and hold the phone close to your conversation partner. When he or she starts talking, the text appears on the screen. More explanation about how it works for the iPhone, for example? You can find that at Apple’s website.
Don’t have this feature on your phone, but would like to have one? Then there are also various apps that subtitling conversations in real time. on The Hoormij Foundation’s website, the foundation that is committed to everyone with hearing and/or balance disorders, you can find more information about this.
Tips for dealing with hearing impaired people
Not only can the deaf and hard of hearing do something themselves. Their environment can also make it easier for them. Of course you have to keep 1,5 distance, but not everyone will understand you then. Be aware of that. Speak slowly and clearly.
If you work in an environment where you come into frequent contact with the deaf and hard of hearing, you can wear a transparent mouth cap. This allows the mouth to be seen and it is easier to lip read. The mudguards and plexiglass partitions in supermarkets and shops also make it difficult for the hearing impaired to hear anything. Find out how you can help the hearing impaired and where you can buy transparent mouth caps here.
Recognize the Limited Hearing symbol
Earlier in this article we already mentioned the Limited Hearing symbol (see image on the right). This is a symbol with which someone shows that he or she is hard of hearing or (suddenly) deaf. All products have a blue ear on a yellow background with a red dotted cross. The deaf and hard of hearing can place this symbol on their mouth caps so that they can show that they do not hear or do not hear well. Do you see anyone with this symbol? Then keep it in mind!
Sources):
