Q. How can I communicate more effectively with a loved one with hearing loss? A. Here are some helpful tips: • Always face the person you’re talking to. This allows the person to lip-read and use visual cues. • Speak clearly and naturally at a moderate pace. Allow extra time for the person to process what was said. • Don’t yell or scream. Yelling causes you to speak abnormally, making it difficult for the person to understand you. • Repeat and rephrase if needed. If there was a chance you were misunderstood, say it again. • Use other communication techniques. Text messages, email, or writing notes are effective ways to get your message across.