What adjustment should be made when communicating with hearing-impaired patients?

When communicating with hearing-impaired patients, lowering the pitch of your voice is an important adjustment because many individuals with hearing loss have difficulty hearing higher frequencies. Lowering the pitch can make speech more intelligible, as individuals who are hearing impaired often have better sensitivity to lower frequencies. Additionally, enunciating clearly and facing the patient directly can enhance communication by allowing them to read lips and better understand non-verbal cues.

Using written communication exclusively may not always be practical or effective, as some patients may have difficulty reading or may not be fluent in written language. Speaking louder with a high-pitched voice could actually worsen the situation, as high frequencies are typically harder for those with hearing loss to hear. Facing away while speaking to them is counterproductive, as it obstructs visual access to lip movements and facial expressions, which are crucial for understanding dialogue.