A nursing assistant is caring for a resident who has significant hearing loss and does not use a hearing aid. Which communication approach is most effective?
- A.Speak loudly by raising the voice to a near-shout
- B.Face the resident directly, speak clearly at a moderate pace, and reduce background noise
- C.Write all communications in large print since spoken communication is not effective
- D.Use only hand gestures and avoid speaking entirely
Show answer & rationale
Correct answer
B. Face the resident directly, speak clearly at a moderate pace, and reduce background noise
Rationale
B is correct: Facing the resident directly allows lip reading and visual cues. Speaking clearly at a moderate pace (not shouting) and reducing background noise (turning off the TV) significantly improve comprehension for hearing-impaired individuals. A is incorrect: Shouting distorts speech sounds, making lip reading harder, and may embarrass or upset the resident. Speaking louder than normal is helpful; shouting is counterproductive. C is incorrect: Written communication is a useful supplement but should not completely replace spoken communication without first trying effective verbal techniques. D is incorrect: A combination of verbal and nonverbal communication is most effective; eliminating speech entirely without assessment is inappropriate.
Key concepts