Question

When speaking to a client who is hard of hearing and does not wear a hearing aide, you should:

A) Face the client when speaking to him or her
B) Speak as loud as you must in order to be heard
C) Speak slowly and clearly
D) All of the above

Answer 1

To effectively communicate with a hard-of-hearing client who does not use a hearing aid, face the client, speak slowly and clearly, and ensure your volume is increased appropriately without shouting. This enhances understanding and compensates for the lack of hearing aid use and potential technical issues during virtual communication.

Step-by-step explanation:

When speaking to a client who is hard of hearing and does not wear a hearing aid, it is important to use several strategies to improve communication. These include:

1. Face the client when speaking to them. This allows the client to see your facial expressions and mouth movements, which can help them understand you better.
2. Do not simply speak as loud as necessary, as this may not be effective and can be uncomfortable for both you and the client. Instead, ensure that your speaking volume is raised without shouting.
3. Speak slowly and clearly. Articulating words and speaking at a moderate pace can assist the client in understanding what is being said.

All of the above methods can contribute to a more successful communication with a hard-of-hearing client. Speaking slowly and clearly is particularly important, as it addresses potential issues with Wi-Fi delays or microphone malfunctions during virtual meetings. Increasing the temperature of the room or altering the pitch of the voice without corresponding changes in volume may not assist in such situations.