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• Tips for Communicating with Deaf & Hard of Hearing Individuals
  

  Hearing disabilities may come at any time in a person's life, and hearing abilities vary widely. Some are born with no hearing, while others lose it gradually over time. Whether a person has a memory of sound can make a difference in the way they experience language, including written language. Do not be surprised if a individual who is deaf or hard of hearing uses words differently. Remember, sign language may be their primary language, and English a second language.
  
  Deaf and hard of hearing people communicate in different ways, depending on several factors: age at which deafness began; type of deafness; language skills; speech abilities; personality; intelligence; family environment; and educational background. Some individuals are more easily understood than others. Some use speech only ... or a combination of sign language, fingerspelling, and speech ... or writing ... or body language and facial expression.
  
  Communication Strategies
  
  You can communicate in several ways. And remember - deaf and hard of hearing people have successfully navigated a "hearing world" for years and are more than willing to help facilitate communication. The key is to find out which combination of techniques works best with each person. Keep in mind that it is not how you exchange ideas but that you do.
  
  For someone who primarily uses sign language, these guidelines for individual service should be used when the communication will be short, simple and straightforward. If the information being conveyed is more complex, is of longer duration or is related to legal matters, you may need to engage the services of a sign language interpreter.