A hidden cost of loss of hearing is a sense of isolation. If a friend or relative is hard of hearing, there are a number of things one can do to make communication easier. Not only is there a practical side to this, but merely making the effort shows that you care about keeping this person involved.
This Top 10 list is by no means complete, but rather represents simple strategies that can greatly improve the quality of communication – and, by extension, the quality of life for those who are hard of hearing.
1.    Be patient. People who are hard of hearing need more time and care. Not because they’re slow, but because they face hidden challenges.
2.    Reduce background/environmental noises. Turn off the radio or TV, or move to a quieter location, when communicating.
3.    Whenever possible, face the person directly and on the same level – make eye contact.
4.    Lighting matters. Make sure the light is not shining in their eyes. Make sure your face is well lit. This way they can see your facial expressions and lip movements.
5.    If you know which side a person hears best from, talk to that side. If you don’t know – ask.
6.    Don’t shout – it distorts your voice and facial expressions. Speak clearly and slowly.
7.    Keep your hands away from your face when talking.
8.    Your speech will be more easily understood when you are not eating, chewing, smoking, etc.
9.    If your companion is having difficulty comprehending, find another way of saying the same thing. Rephrase rather than continually repeating the original words.
10.    People use context to understand you. Avoid abrupt changes or interjecting small talk. And when it’s time to change topics, make sure that they know you are doing so.
These tips were prepared using a large number of resources targeted to the deaf and hard of hearing. And on reflection, they’re good habits to develop when talking to people in general. If you compress the tips down to a single golden rule, it’s really just a matter of showing courtesy.