Self-advocacy is the act of speaking up for yourself. It’s essential to learn how to stand up for yourself if you have hearing loss so you can stay engaged with the world around you. It’s an effective way to instruct others how to communicate with you.
Why Hearing Loss Self-Advocacy Matters
Hearing loss can affect your sense of identity and self-confidence. It might be hard to ask for the assistance you need to engage with others, so you may begin to withdraw from social settings. Advocating for yourself allows you to be a part of any conversation and enjoy interactions. Those who’ve never encountered hearing loss may not be aware of communication best practices, so speaking up can help them understand how to communicate effectively. Self-advocacy also reduces frustration and confusion, so you don’t have to ask others to repeat themselves or speak up as frequently.
How to Communicate Your Needs
Be clear and direct: Be open about your hearing loss right away. Doing so allows others to understand how their way of speaking and positioning themselves influences conversation. You can say something simple, such as, “I have some hearing loss. Would you mind facing me when you speak?”
Educate others: Self-advocating when you have hearing loss is an effective way to raise awareness about how people with different abilities communicate. Explain what helps you interpret speech better, such as good lighting and limited background noise. Emphasize the importance of patience above frustration.
Practice confidence: Hearing loss advocacy shows your resiliency and commitment to expressing yourself. Practicing different ways to explain your situation can help you feel more confident during discussions.
Be patient: Miscommunications can happen even if you explain your situation. Show yourself and others grace as you navigate communication techniques and noisy environments. Giving in to frustration can lead to misunderstandings and even hurt feelings, so keep a calm tone when asking for clarification.
Hearing Loss Advocacy in Different Environments
Acoustics vary depending on the setting and background noise. Here are some tips to help you hear well in different listening environments:
Workplaces: Inform your coworkers about your hearing loss as soon as possible. Use assistive listening technology like handheld or table mics to enhance speech during meetings. Request printed copies of presentations to help you follow along.
Restaurants: Between surrounding conversations and rattling dishes, restaurants present a particularly challenging hearing environment. Select seating away from the kitchen, ask your server to clarify orders and sit close to your dining partner when speaking.
Family gatherings: You’ll likely encounter multiple conversations at once during parties and events. Ask your loved ones to face you while they’re speaking or pick a quieter spot for one-on-one conversations. Use table mics to hear conversations during a meal.
Healthcare settings: Tell your healthcare provider about your hearing loss at the beginning of your appointment to ensure you receive necessary assistance. Ask for written instructions for medication administration and care plans.
Use Your Resources
It’s important to understand your legal rights and what resources are at your disposal so you can live well with hearing loss. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires your employer to provide certain accommodations such as assistive listening devices, captioned phones and video services to address your hearing restrictions.
You can utilize technology to help enhance your hearing capabilities, too. The Lace AI Pro is an auditory training app that provides clinically proven techniques to enhance your cognition and working memory. Because your brain does the actual “hearing,” using the strategies provided by the app allows you to optimize your auditory function.
There are a variety of online communities and groups that you can join to learn more about hearing loss advocacy and local resources. The National Association of the Deaf can provide legal guidance, while the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers tips and strategies to enhance communication and optimize hearing aid technology. State and local organizations may provide financial assistance to help you purchase hearing aids.
Build a Support System
You don’t have to go it alone on your journey toward better hearing. Creating a support network of family, friends and coworkers allows you to share your experiences, which can reduce feelings of isolation. Working with others also helps build self-confidence and can make you feel more comfortable advocating for yourself. Bring loved ones with you to your audiology appointments or aural rehabilitation classes so they can learn how to be supportive listening partners.
Research local support groups that offer in-person discussions to connect with others who face similar challenges. Joining those communities allows you to discover new perspectives, share helpful strategies and build relationships with others who have similar experiences.
Hearing Loss Treatment at Hearing Associates
Your needs are unique and require a special care plan so you can optimize your hearing ability. Hearing Associates is committed to getting to know you as a person before we learn about you as a patient. That allows our expert team to provide the right services and create a comprehensive care plan to help you live well and advocate for your hearing loss needs. Contact us to schedule your appointment.