How to Support Someone Who Wears Hearing Aids: Simple Tips That Make a Big Difference
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
Hearing aids can significantly improve our ability to hear and communicate, but they don't restore hearing to "normal".
Even with the latest technology, background noise, distance, and poor communication habits can make conversations challenging. No matter the relationship, your support can make a meaningful difference. By making a few simple adjustments, you can help create more comfortable conversations and reduce communication frustrations for everyone involved.
Get Their Attention Before You Speak
Before starting a conversation, make sure the person knows you're speaking to them.
You can:
Say their name.
Make eye contact.
Gently wave.
Lightly tap them on the shoulder if appropriate.
This gives them time to focus on the conversation instead of missing the beginning of what you say.
Face Them When You Talk
Many hearing aid users naturally rely on facial expressions and lip reading to fill in missing sounds.
Try to:
Face them directly.
Keep your hands away from your mouth.
Avoid talking while walking away or looking away.
Speak Clearly (Not Necessarily Loudly)
One of the biggest misconceptions is that shouting helps.
In reality, shouting can:
Distort speech.
Make words harder to understand.
Sound uncomfortable through hearing aids.
Instead:
Speak at a normal pace.
Pronounce and enunciate words clearly.
Use your natural voice.
Clear speech is more helpful than a louder voice.
Reduce Background Noise.
Whenever possible:
Turn down the TV/music.
Move to a quieter room.
Choose quieter restaurants or seating areas.
Close windows if outside noise is distracting.
Reducing background noise can dramatically improve communication.
Don't Repeat the Same Words Over and Over
If someone doesn't understand you the first time, simply repeating the exact same sentence may not help.
Instead:
Rephrase your sentence.
Use different words.
Break longer sentences into shorter ones.
Different wording can provide additional clues that make speech easier to understand.
Be Patient
Listening with hearing loss requires extra concentration.
The person may:
Need a moment to process what you said.
Ask you to repeat yourself.
Miss parts of the conversation.
A little patience goes a long way.
Include Them in Group Conversations
Group settings are often the most difficult listening environments.
You can help by:
Speaking one at a time.
Avoid talking over others.
Making sure everyone can be seen.
Don't Assume They Heard Everything
Even with hearing aids, it's normal to miss a few words.
If the conversation includes important details (such as appointment times, addresses, instructions, etc.), consider writing them down or sending a test message after.
Encourage Regular Hearing Aid Maintenance
Like any technology, hearing aids work best when properly maintained.
You can encourage hearing aid users to:
Clean their hearing aids regularly.
Replace wax filters and domes as recommended.
Schedule routine hearing aid checks and hearing test with their hearing care provider.
Be Understanding
Hearing loss can sometimes lead to frustration, fatigue, or social withdrawal.
Rather than becoming frustrated if communication is difficult:
Stay positive.
Be supportive.
Remember that hearing loss is often invisible.
Hearing Aids Help - But Communication Is a Team Effort
Modern hearing aids are remarkable, but successful communication isn't just about technology. It's also about people communicating together.
By speaking clearly, reducing background noise, and practicing patience, you can help someone with hearing loss feel more confident, included, and connected. These simple habits strengthen relationships and make conversations easier for everyone.
If hearing difficulties persist despite wearing hearing aids, it may be time for a hearing aid cleaning, adjustment, or hearing assessment. Your audiologist or hearing care professional can help ensure the devices are performing at their best.
