Communicating with Deaf and Hearing Impaired Customers
6.1 There are several steps that can be taken to facilitate better communication with a customer, who has impaired hearing, including:
- Making sure that you have attracted their attention.
- Facing the person when you are talking to them, speaking clearly and;
- using your usual tone. Don’t raise your voice unless the person asks you to do.
- so as raising your voice could distort what you are saying and make it difficult to lip read.
- Being prepared to write things down. This will not always be appropriate, since some people who use sign language may not be able to read written text sentences in sign languages are structured differently).
- Letting the customer know if you will be making excess noise e.g., drilling or hammering.
- Giving clues as to what you are talking about in your face, your body language and the gestures you make.
- Letting the customer know if you have to leave the premises for example to get work tools and equipment from the van.