Read our top tips for communicating with a deaf child or young person
If you’ve never communicated with a deaf child or young person before you may feel nervous about how to do it. But don't worry – it’s not as hard as you think!
It’s important to understand that every deaf person is different – with different levels of deafness, hearing aids or implants, technology and communication preferences but the tips below are useful for communicating with all deaf children and young people.
1. Find out how the deaf person communicates
Every deaf child or young person will have a preferred way of communicating, so find out if they use speech, British Sign Language (BSL) or a mixture of both. Ask if they need any communication support and if so, find out what type and what level.
2. Get the person's attention
To get a deaf child or young person's attention you can wave, knock a table, or tap their shoulder lightly.
3. Face the person when you’re talking
Make sure that they can see your face clearly when you're talking. Don’t move around while you’re talking as this will make it impossible for the child or young person to hear your voice and lip-read.
Watch our video: Deaf Awareness: Face me when you talk
4. Speak clearly and naturally
Deaf children and young people may try to lip-read, so they need you to say words as you normally would. Speaking slowly or too loudly makes lip-reading much more difficult.
5. Watch your mouth
Covering your mouth with your hands, eating, chewing gum or smoking can make lip-reading very difficult. It will also muffle any sound you’re making.
6. Use visual cues where possible
Point to what you’re talking about, and don’t be shy about using gestures to support your communication. For example, if you want to ask someone if they’d like a drink, you can point to your mug or make a drinking motion.
7. Make it clear what the topic of conversation is
They will find it easier to guess your words if they know what you’re talking about. Make sure the deaf child knows when the topic changes.
8. Stand with your face to the light
Standing by a window or in poor lighting makes lip-reading very difficult.
9. Speak one at a time
Group conversations can be difficult for a deaf child or young person to follow. Make it easier by asking everyone to take their turn talking and to make a sign if they want to speak next.
10. Reduce background noise
Hearing aids and cochlear implants help to amplify sounds. This means the person wearing them has to concentrate very hard on your voice to hear it over everything else. Background noises such as traffic or the radio can make it difficult for them to listen. Block out unnecessary noise by closing windows, doors and turning machines off.
Watch our video: A good classroom environment: Reducing background noise
11. Telephone alternatives
Some deaf people can use the telephone, but this is not the case for everyone. Consider alternatives such as text messaging, whatsapp or email.
You can also use a video relay service which uses a sign language interpreter as the relay assistant. This works in a similar way to video chat. The deaf person is connected to an interpreter using a live video link. The interpreter will then use sign language to interpret between the deaf person and the hearing person.
There are several video relay services available in the UK including Relay UK, SignVideo, Sign Solutions, and ContactScotland BSL.
12. Never give up or say “I’ll tell you later”
Deaf children and young people have told us someone saying “I’ll tell you later” is their absolute pet hate. They want to be involved just like their peers, so if one method doesn’t work, don’t be scared to improvise. You can try texting on your phone, emailing, or good old fashioned pen and paper.
Download and share our free resources
- Tips for talking to your deaf friends (poster)
- Fingerspelling (poster)
- Fingerspelling (postcard)
- Communication tips for face masks and coverings
Our website is full of free information and resources about deafness and how to be deaf-friendly. So please do have a look at what we've got and share information with your friends, family and colleagues.
Dementia is a progressive illness that, over time, will affect a person's ability to remember and understand basic everyday facts, such as names, dates and places. Dementia will gradually affect the way a person communicates. Their ability to present rational ideas and to reason clearly will change. If you are looking after a person with dementia, you may find that as the illness progresses you'll have to start discussions to get the person to make conversation.
This is common. Their ability to process information gets progressively weaker and their responses can become delayed. Try to start conversations with the person you're looking after, especially if you notice that they're starting fewer conversations themselves. It can help to: The Alzheimer's Society has lots of information that can help, including details on
the progression of dementia and communicating. Communication is not just talking. Gestures, movement and facial expressions can all convey meaning or help you get a
message across. Body language and physical contact become significant when speech is difficult for a person with dementia.Encouraging someone with dementia to communicate
Communicating through body language and physical contact
When someone has difficulty speaking or understanding, try to:
- be patient and remain calm, which can help the person communicate more easily
- keep your tone of voice positive and friendly, where possible
- talk to them at a respectful distance to avoid intimidating them – being at the same level or lower than they are (for example, if they are sitting) can also help
- pat or hold the person's hand while talking to them to help reassure them and make you feel closer – watch their body language and listen to what they say to see whether they're comfortable with you doing this
It's important that you encourage the person to communicate what they want, however they can. Remember, we all find it frustrating when we cannot communicate effectively, or are misunderstood.
Listening to and understanding someone with dementia
Communication is a two-way process. As a carer of someone with dementia, you will probably have to learn to listen more carefully.
You may need to be more aware of non-verbal messages, such as facial expressions and body language. You may have to use more physical contact, such as reassuring pats on the arm, or smile as well as speaking.
Active listening can help:
- use eye contact to look at the person, and encourage them to look at you when either of you are talking
- try not to interrupt them, even if you think you know what they're saying
- stop what you're doing so you can give the person your full attention while they speak
- minimise distractions that may get in the way of communication, such as the television or the radio playing too loudly, but always check if it's OK to do so
- repeat what you heard back to the person and ask if it's accurate, or ask them to repeat what they said
Page last reviewed: 9 January 2020
Next review due: 9 January 2023