Communication Tips for Friends and Family of Someone With Hearing Loss.

If you know someone with hearing loss, there are small changes in the way you communicate that can help make conversations easier, reduce frustration, and strengthen connections.

The SPEECH method is an easy way to remember these small adjustments that can make a big difference.

• Spotlight Your Face:

  • Face the person you are talking with and try to stay within 5-10 feet.

  • Avoid speaking from another room.

• Pause Slightly:

  • Slow, exaggerated speech is as difficult to understand as fast speech.

  • Speak at a moderate pace, pausing slightly between phrases to aid understanding by splitting things into chunks.

• Empathize:

  • If necessary, rephrase what you say to clarify a point, and remember to be patient.

• Ease Listening:

  • Get the listener's attention before speaking

  • Ask how to make conversations easier - adjust volume, speed, or clarify topics as needed.

  • Be flexible and encourage feedback to support clear communication .

• Control the Situation:

  • Improve communication by moving closer - ideally within 5-10 feet

  • Move away from background noise and maintain good lighting

• Have a plan:

  • Set strategies in advance to help with clear communication in difficult listening environments

  • This might mean helping with communication in a environment with background noise

Using the SPEECH method can transform everyday conversations into clearer, more comfortable, and more meaningful exchanges for someone with hearing loss. These small, intentional adjustments of spotlighting your face, pacing your speech, showing empathy, easing listening, controlling the environment, and planning ahead work together to reduce frustration and strengthen connection. By being mindful and proactive, you not only support better communication but also show respect, patience, and care for the person you’re speaking with. Even simple changes can make a big difference, and the more consistently they’re practiced, the easier and more natural communication becomes for everyone involved.