One

Do Face me and make eye contact. Reading your lips helps me fill in missing pieces of conversations.

Don’t Mumble or talk softly, especially in a noisy environment. I can hear you talking, but the background noise makes deciphering what you are saying very difficult.

Two

Do Schedule meetings with fewer people in smaller, quieter quarters with good lighting.

Don’t Put me in a position that will make hearing difficult, like conference calls or group meetings in large rooms with people spread out.

Three

Do Drop me a text message or email for important information. Take advantage of voice recognition to dictate the message if typing it is too time-consuming.

Don’t Expect me to hear you clearly on a cell phone. The microphones pick up too much ambient sound.

Four

Do Try a different word if I still don’t understand what you are referring to. Or repeat the whole sentence.

Don’t Repeat only the word I say I didn’t catch.

Five

Do Ask me what I didn’t understand, and try saying it another way.

Don’t Say “never mind” or “it isn’t important.” If it was important enough to try to talk to me about something, don’t give up in frustration.

Six

Do Position yourself next to the person I am talking to in order to help restate what they are saying. Stand so that I can see your face so I can speech-read if needed.

Don’t Avoid me or talk behind my back to people, telling them I don’t hear. I do hear. I just don’t understand clearly, and I am aware of being dismissed.

Seven

Do Help re-explain what was asked of me if I answer incorrectly.

Don’t Apologize for me to others. I can do that myself.

Eight

Do Speak slowly but naturally. No need to shout.

Don’t Look away with a frustrated or disgusted look. My disability is difficult enough for me. I don’t need it to be reinforced by people’s negative reaction to it.

Nine

Do Smile. Look at me with understanding, not pity.

Don’t Talk to me in short, single-syllable words, like to a child. Thank you.