• Ask people to get your attention before they start talking to you

• Ask people to stand close you, facing you and at the same eye level as you

• Stand with your back to the light to enable you to see facial expressions better

• Find a suitable place to talk, away from noise and distractions 

• Ask people to speak slower (but not too slow) and at a normal level (not shouting)

• Ask people to speak clearly using normal lip movements (not exaggerated)

• If you have a better ear, then try to turn this side towards people

• If you are lipreading, tell people before you start a conversation

• Lipreading and sign language classes are available in most areas. Ask the staff at your audiology department if they have any information for your area

These helpful tips can also be used by a hearing person to improve communication with a hearing impaired person.

Printable leaflets on fingerspelling and basic signs are available for you to download:

• Fingerspelling Alphabet
• British Sign Language - some basic signs