Service User Perspectives: Communicating effectively with a service user with hearing difficulties
Learning Objectives
After considering this resource, you should be more aware of how you can communicate effectively with a service user with hearing difficulties.
Hearing difficulties and deafness can appear a significant obstacle to communicating with a service user. However, an understanding of the service user's needs can ensure these barriers are broken down.
In this video, Deborah, a service user who is 75% deaf, explains what she expects of a social worker during a meeting so that she can communicate effectively.
Reflective Questions
- What, if any, apprehensions do you have about working with a person with hearing difficulties? How can you address these apprehensions?
- Consider the different ways you might prepare for a meeting with a service user who has hearing difficulties.
- Reflect on how you can ensure you practice anti-discriminatively when working with service users who have hearing difficulties.