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Every May, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association chooses a theme to celebrate the month of Better Speech and Hearing Month. The topics include points of interest to the hearing impaired and deaf communities, as well as issues facing people with untreated hearing loss. This year, they have selected a topic that applies to everyone of employable age: “Communication at Work.”
Undoubtedly you can recall an instance of miscommunication or crossed wires in the workplace, but sometimes it can be difficult to diagnose the source of the problem. Let’s consider a few of the most common sources of miscommunication at work before turning to think of ways to solve these problems and prevent future miscommunication. One source of office miscommunication that is often overlooked has to do with hearing loss, so keep in mind how untreated hearing loss in the workplace might be causing problems for your productivity.
Sources of Miscommunication
When you have an instance of miscommunication at work, several factors can contribute to the problem. Even those who have the best intentions can slip into bad habits affecting the workplace dynamic. In general there are two types of problems when it comes to office miscommunication. In the first case, the message might be the problem, something easily misconstrued or too difficult to package into a simple unit of communication. One example might be a complex multi-step process that requires detailed focus and concerted effort.
However, more often than the message itself leading to miscommunication, the second major source of confusion is to blame—the medium of communication. Whether a person has selected the wrong style of communication or has chosen the wrong time to communicate, the message itself is seldom entirely to blame for miscommunication. Packaging information can be as important as the information itself when it comes to fluid and clear workplace communication.
Solutions for Miscommunication
If you find yourself in a workplace environment with frequent instances of miscommunication, there are a few simple steps you can take to adjust the style of delivery. In the first place, think before you communicate. Take a moment to consider the best mode of communication, whether that is verbal, textual, or in another creative mode of expression. In many cases a combination of modes will be the best approach, capturing the attention of people with different communication styles.
When the time comes for communication, be sure to modulate your message in tune with the preferences of your coworker. Rather than dropping by for a chat while a person is deeply at work, why not send a message ahead of time asking if it is a good time to talk? Sending an email can get lost in the in-box, so you might want to have a quick phone call with a follow-up message instead. Above all, make sure that the actionable items are clearly presented in your communication. Although it might seem reductive, listing the items that need attention is not a bad idea.
Hearing Loss and Miscommunication
A hidden dimension may be lurking beneath the surface of your workplace communication struggles. Hearing loss affects many Americans, and too many continue to work and live with that hearing loss untreated. You may have coworkers who have untreated hearing loss and are simply not registering the things you have to say. Without the ability to clearly make out the elements of the conversation, some messages can be lost in fragments. In addition, information passed along out of sight can be missed entirely.
Take steps to accommodate those with hearing loss in your workplace by making sure you communicate face-to-face and at a close enough distance to make yourself clearly heard. However, if you are the person with hearing loss in the workplace, the best step you can take is to seek treatment right away.
You will need to begin with a hearing test with our team to diagnose the nature of the hearing loss and the degree of severity. With this information in hand, we can recommend the right treatment for you, including which of the array of hearing aids is best suited to your lifestyle and individual needs. Assisted hearing in the workplace can solve many of the moments of miscommunication that arise.