10 effective communication tips

Strong communication is vital in building and maintaining relationships, but not always easy. Ensuring that everyone feels truly heard is the foundation of creating strong, meaningful connections. However, this can be especially challenging when communication barriers, such as hearing difficulties, come into play. Here are 10 simple yet effective ways to ensure that everyone feels valued and understood, no matter the circumstances.

1. Eyes forward

   Maintain full and frequent eye contact to show full attention and respect.

   

   Maintain consistent and appropriate eye contact to show that you are fully engaged in the conversation. Not only is this respectful, but it also helps the listener feel acknowledged and supported, which is especially important for those who rely on visual cues to supplement hearing.

2. No interruptions

   Don’t be too eager to get your point across - let others finish speaking before responding or adding thoughts.

   

   Avoid interrupting or finishing someone’s sentences, even if you think you understand what they’re saying. Allowing them to express their thoughts fully shows patience, respect, and helps prevent miscommunication.

3. Body language

   Use nods, gestures and posture to show that you’re engaged and receptive.

   

   Natural head tilts, facial expressions, and welcoming body language all signal that you’re actively listening to and understanding the speaker. These nonverbal cues provide reassurance and help build a more comfortable and supportive communication environment, as well as helping the other person to understand what you are saying.

4. Echo back

   It can be isolating to be unsure whether someone has really heard you or not - briefly restate what you heard to confirm understanding.

   

   Feeling unsure if you’ve been heard can make someone feel set apart, especially those with hearing loss. Briefly repeating or summarizing what was said shows you’re listening and helps ensure clear understanding on both sides.

5. Open posture

   Be physically welcoming to affirm your enthusiasm in the conversation - avoid crossed arms or distracted gestures.

   

   Adopt an open and amicable posture to show genuine interest in the conversation. Avoid shutting yourself off physically, fidgeting, or checking your phone, as these can signal disinterest or impatience.

6. Quiet mind

   Don’t worry about your own agenda - when someone else is sharing, that should be your only focus.

   

   Although it may be tempting to focus on things outside the conversation, set aside your own pre-planned thoughts or responses while the other person is speaking, and focus entirely on what they’re saying. Giving your full attention shows respect and helps create a more meaningful, two-way conversation.

7. Clarify kindly

   Don’t worry if you didn’t quite catch something, it’s totally normal - simply ask gentle follow-up questions when something isn’t clear.

   

   Missing a point or two is totally normal, what matters is how you respond. Ask calm, respectful follow-up questions to clarify, showing that you care about truly understanding the speaker. It is not rude to mishear someone, but it may appear rude to have misunderstood them.

8. Stay curious

   Be present in the conversation - listen not to reply, but to genuinely understand their perspective.

   

   Stay fully in the moment and resist the urge to plan your response while the other person is speaking. Listen with the intention to understand their perspective, not just to reply. A conversation is much more meaningful if your intention is to truly understand the other person, rather than passively hearing what they have to say.

   
   
   
   

9. Avoid background noise

   Try to have the conversation as far away from any distracting background noise as possible.

   

   Filtering out excessive background noise can be a challenge for anyone, especially those with difficulty hearing. Try to place yourself as far away from any distracting sounds as possible.

   
   

10. Pick your position

    Try to make sure the person you are talking to has their back to something solid.

    

    In a social setting or crowded environment, sounds from behind can be distracting and make what you are saying harder to interpret. Having a solid surface, like a wall or high seat back, between a person and their surroundings helps to minimise disorienting background noise, making it easier to focus on the conversation.

    
    

These are 10 easy ways to ensure that whoever you are talking to feels listened to and understood. While communication with someone with a hearing loss may bring certain challenges, it is important to try and minimise these, making sure that they feel just as heard and respected as anyone else.