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Hearing loss is one of the world's most common, but often ignored, health problems. It could be called the "invisible" handicap. Some people are born with hearing loss, while others experience hearing loss as a part of the aging process. Infections or prolonged exposure to loud noise can also cause hearing problems.

The effects of hearing loss are often very gradual and this is why many people have a hard time believing or accepting that they have a hearing loss. Difficulty hearing and understanding speech is the most obvious effect of hearing loss. Fortunately, most people with a hearing loss can be helped through medical treatment, surgery, or by using hearing aids.

Over the last ten years, research into hearing healthcare has improved our understanding of how we hear and the different types of hearing loss. Today, hearing aids not only provide better sound quality, they look better too. For instance, some hearing aids fit completely in the ear canal and are practically invisible. A hearing health professional can demonstrate the complete range of hearing aids.

Improving Communication Skills
People who have hearing loss can feel very isolated and lonely. Listening becomes difficult, and getting together with family and friends can become very frustrating. Your support and understanding is very important to those with hearing loss. Here are some ways that you can make communication easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

• Be sure you have the person's attention before you begin to speak. It is difficult for the hearing impaired to hear or lip-read if their attention is focused elsewhere.
  

• Look directly at the person to whom you are speaking. Eye contact is very important. Make sure your face can be seen clearly. Avoid distracting movements such as smoking, chewing or putting your hands in front of your face.
  

• Speak normally, not too loudly or quickly.
  

• Use appropriate facial expressions, gestures and body language to make it easier to understand what you are saying.
  

• Re-word your sentence if the person does not understand what you are saying. Some words are easier to hear or lip-read than others.
  

• Be aware of competing noises or sounds in the room. Music, air conditioners and other people talking in the same room can drown out voices. Move away from the noise, if possible.
  

• Ask if there is anything that you can do to improve the listening situation.

Improving Listening Skills
Listening skills take practice and patience by both the speaker and the listener. Many local hearing agencies offer hearing rehabilitation classes to help improve listening skills. In these classes, specially trained professionals help people with all types of hearing loss. They teach people how to make the most of their limited ability to hear and how to read body language and lip movement for better understanding.

These courses also help the friends and family of those with hearing loss learn how they can improve their communication skills.

If you would like more information on any of the communication techniques discussed here, consult your hearing health professional.