What is a recommended general technique for communicating with hearing-impaired patients?

Positioning yourself approximately 18 inches in front of a hearing-impaired patient is a recommended technique for effective communication. This distance allows for optimal visibility of facial expressions, body language, and lip movements, which can be crucial for a person who relies on lip-reading or visual cues to understand spoken language. By maintaining this distance, you can also ensure that any ambient noise does not overshadow your voice, making it easier for the patient to focus on what you are communicating.

Using loud, clear speech may not be effective if the patient cannot hear well, as this does not take into account the need for visual cues that are essential for many hearing-impaired individuals. Writing everything down can be helpful, but it is often not practical for all types of communication and may lead to breakdowns in conversation flow. Speaking while walking around the patient could create difficulties for them to follow along visually, as they might not be able to see your lips and facial expressions clearly. Hence, positioning at a set distance is the most effective method for ensuring clear communication with hearing-impaired patients.