Deafie Blogger: Communication tips for Deaf Awareness Week!

This week it’s Deaf Awareness Week!

For the deaf community, every day feels like a deaf awareness day. Communication
is the biggest barrier that deaf and hard of hearing people face, and it’s a two way
process.

The emphasis doesn’t just lie with the deaf person to make themselves
understood, both parties have to work together.

Here are some tips on how to have a successful conversation!

1. Ask them how they prefer to communicate

Not all deaf people use sign language, not all speak. It’s best to ask than assume! By
asking in advance, it may give you time to arrange communication support if needed.

2. Get their attention before speaking/signing

It’s mostly common sense… deaf people probably won’t realise you’re talking to them
unless you’ve got their attention first.

Simply tap them on the shoulder or stand in front of them! Please don’t embarrass yourself and start waving your arms around like mad, or getting close to the deaf person’s face and making them jump!

3. Face them when talking (even if they have an interpreter!)

The first instinct that a deaf person can tell if you’re addressing them is if you’re
facing them and making eye contact.

Always speak to them, rather than who they’re with – imagine if it was the other way round, and someone wasn’t addressing you, how would you feel?

4. Speak normally!

Just because we have a hearing loss doesn’t mean we’re a toddler, or we have a low
level of intelligence!

When speaking, ensure it’s clear, reasonably paced; not too slow, avoid over-enunciating words and please don’t shout! Hearing technologies are made to amplify sounds, so you can imagine what shouting sounds like!

5. Consider the environment you’re in

There’s nothing harder than trying to communicate with a deaf person in a dark or
noisy room. If you can eliminate these factors by standing in good lighting and
choosing a quieter venue, you’re guaranteed to have a better chat!

6. Please repeat/explain things in a different way if needed

If the deaf person doesn’t understand what you’re saying, please repeat what you
said, or explain it in a different way. Diagrams or photos help to give us visual clues.

If worse comes to worse, write or type it down! We’ll get there eventually!

7. Double check they understood!

Deaf people can be very good at faking their understanding, just because it’s easier
than trying to understand. We can hide it well in our facial expressions! If it’s
important information, simply ask us if we got that?

8. Please be patient!

Last of all, please don’t give up, we’ll get there eventually, it just takes us a bit longer
sometimes!

If you say “never mind” or “I’ll tell you later”, it’s one of our pet hates! If hearing people have the chance to understand what’s being said, or to laugh at jokes, why can’t we?

Please spread the word about Deaf Awareness Week, and share these tips! And if you can think of more tips, let us know in the comments!

Ellie (Deafie Blogger)

Deafie Blogger, aka Ellie, was born profoundly deaf, uses verbal communication, lipreads and wears Phonak hearing aids. Ellie embraces every new challenge; working as a Marketing Executive for a Spa & Health Club and blogging for Hearing Like Me and British Deaf News. She is passionate about deaf awareness, campaigning for equality and helping others through her personal blog as Deafie Blogger.