Guidelines for the hearing

When you're speaking to a deaf or hearing impaired person, don't shout. Shouting just distorts your mouth and makes lip reading difficult.

Speak clearly. Don't cover your mouth with your hands or an object while you are speaking. If you have a moustache, deaf and hearing impaired people will find it very difficult to read your lips. Keep your moustache well trimmed so it doesn't cover your lips.

Speak face to face when speaking with a deaf or hearing impaired person, without standing closer than you'd normally stand to a hearing person. Don't try and hold a conversation from across the room.

Make sure you have their attention before you start speaking. You could do this with a gentle tap on the shoulder.

Face the person you are speaking to. If you are talking with your back to them or shouting from another room, you won't be understood.

If you're having trouble being understood verbally, use written words and gestures to explain what you mean, or try a different way of saying the same thing.

Above all, don't turn away. Don't give up. Hearing impaired and deaf people can communicate with you. It just takes a little more patience and effort.

Original material provided by the National Foundation for the Deaf Inc. Edited by everybody.