The deaf communicate with sight and body, rather than with hearing. There are different degrees of deafness: hearing loss (partial deafness), profound and complete deafness. Often, it is possible to recognize hearing difficulties from the use of hearing aids (although some people legitimately refuse to wear them or are unable and, therefore, new generation aids are increasingly smaller and difficult to see). People who are deaf or have profound deafness may not even wear any hearing aids. Some are able to read lip movements and perfectly understand what others are saying, although many communicate in sign language instead of words. This type of communication can be intimidating and seem strange at first, but the following instructions will help you.
Steps
Step 1. Attract the attention of the other person before trying to talk or communicate with them
Making eye contact is a great way to do this. If necessary, you can make a small gesture with your hand or lightly touch the other person to gain their consideration. While it is true that one must be respectful and not insistently touch others, on the other hand, in non-auditory communication it is not a sign of rudeness to lightly touch the other you do not know to receive his attention. The shoulder is considered a good place to seek physical contact with someone we do not know - a couple of light strokes are fine.
Step 2. Stay in his field of vision
Try to keep your eyes at the same level as yours (sit if the other person is sitting, get up if they get up, compensating for the difference in height) and stay a little further away than the normal distance (1-2 meters). This way, you will be sure that he will be able to observe all your movements. If you are in an enclosed space, make sure there is enough light for him to see you clearly. If you are outdoors, stand with your face facing the sun so that there are no shadows on your face and that the other is not dazzled by direct sunlight.
Step 3. Say hello in a normal tone voice
Whispering or shouting alters lip movements, making it difficult for the deaf person to follow your words (many of them can read lips to some degree). Likewise, if you overdo the lip movements, it will be more problematic to understand what you mean than if you speak normally. Raising your voice is only useful if the person is hard of hearing and has the negative effect of attracting the attention of other people around you, embarrassing your interlocutor. If you cannot read lips, it is advisable to use a notepad and pen. Write your name, say hello and introduce yourself.
- If you have a beard, it will be more difficult for a deaf person to be able to read lips.
- Many hard of hearing who are able to understand others perfectly in a quiet environment often fail to do so, for example, in places where background noise is loud.
- Do not put anything in or around your mouth (chewing gum, hands, etc.).
Step 4. Establish the substance of your speech
Once he has grasped the general topic of the conversation, it will be easier to follow you. Do not change the subject suddenly; even the best at reading lips can only understand about 35% of what you are saying, having to assume the rest from the context of the reasoning.
Step 5. Make eye contact
You will probably not imagine how much is communicated through the expressions of the face and eyes. If you wear sunglasses, take them off. If you can increase your facial movements to emphasize a conversation passage (smiling, rolling your eyes, raising your eyebrows), do so.
Step 6. Use gestures and facial expressions
Emphasize or favor each element you are talking about and wait until the other person is looking at you before resuming talking. You can also mimic actions such as drinking, jumping, or eating to illustrate your speech. Use your fingers to indicate the numbers, scribble in the air to point out the act of writing a letter and so on.
Step 7. Be polite
If there is an interruption that a deaf person cannot be aware of, such as the ringing of the telephone or intercom, explain why you are moving away. Don't joke about hearing (or lack of it). Do not refuse to communicate suddenly (perhaps, saying "it does not matter") after you have discovered that the other has limited hearing abilities. Don't show your irritation when it needs to be repeated. Be aware of differences of opinion, just as you would a friend who is hard of hearing. Just as there are good and bad among people who are hard of hearing, so there are good and bad among the deaf. Treating them with courtesy will put you in a position of respect and esteem.
Step 8. Learn sign language
To fully communicate with deaf people who feel comfortable using signs instead of verbal language, learn sign language. Sign languages are natural languages with their own grammar and syntax. For example, the English phrase "I give you" is a single word (or "sign") in the American Sign Language (ASL). In most countries, there are their own sign languages. They are quite distinct from spoken languages and generally do not follow the same geographical subdivision (for example, British Sign Language is very different from American Sign Language. Many universities and organizations for the hearing impaired offer courses suitable for all levels. learning).
Advice
- Each sign language constitutes a different linguistic system from its counterpart expressed orally, such as, for example, American Sign Language is different from American English, since it has its own rules, its own grammatical structures and its own verb tenses. It is not a simple language transposed into signs, since it is not possible to translate word for word into a sign language. Many deaf people will understand what you say if you try to mimic in your own language, even if it is boring to do so. If you communicate by writing, the other person may not add articles or other elements (such as "a", "the / the" or the conjunction "and"), they may delete words or organize them in a way that will not seem correct from the point of view. grammar view. This happens because it is translating from one sign language into another language (from ASL to English, for example) and the translation is never direct.
- When you speak to a deaf person who can read lips, stand in front of him. It might seem obvious, but many people who are hard of hearing often turn their heads during conversation. By doing this, it will be much more difficult for him to follow what you are saying.
- Remember that deaf people are normal people. Don't assume that someone with limited hearing needs help. If you are with a deaf person, let them ask you for a hand.
- Cell phones that can send SMS are excellent tools if you don't have a pen and paper. You can enter what you want to say and show it to your interlocutor. Many deaf people also use mobile phones to communicate by writing.
- Maybe it will take some time to get to know a new friend, as it happens with every new friendship. Deaf people make no difference. Don't be in a hurry and don't assume it will happen so soon. Patience is the most important thing in the world if you intend to build lasting relationships.
- Write what you want to say on a piece of paper.
- Exchange emails or accounts to chat. Most deaf people use the internet to communicate, just as people do by calling on the phone to chat.
Warnings
- Never think that a deaf person has a mental disability.
- Do not assume that doctors and audiologists are an authority on deaf people. They are there to diagnose and are not the best source for educational guidance or to recommend ways of interacting.
- Deaf people are very blunt and are not afraid to define what they see. An unwritten rule in deaf culture is "if you can see it, you can comment on it". So don't take their bluntness personally - they certainly don't mean to offend. In their way of being, it is simply plausible to say "you are bigger than the last time we met" or to make other comments that most would consider rude during a conversation.
