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Most meetings are now held via Zoom or other teleconferencing platforms, as more and more people work from home. As we emerge from the pandemic, it seems like video calls are here to stay, at least for remote workers or those with friends and family in faraway places.
We have come to rely on this technology, but it isn’t without its flaws, especially for those with hearing loss.
- Visual issues: Even if Zoom calls support video, a slow Internet connection may cause the video to pause or skip. Insufficient lighting will make it difficult to see other people’s lips and movements. If participants decide to turn off their video camera for the call duration, these problems are compounded.
- Weak audio: Audio may skip or distort due to cheap microphones and poor connections, so listeners have to guess when they miss a word or phrase. This is something that people with hearing loss struggle with regularly, and it’s been compared to an audio jigsaw puzzle.
- A persistent feeling of being ‘on’: A video call user needs to pay close attention and focus on what is being said to remain engaged. When a person has a hearing loss, these issues become even more complex.
Fortunately, you and others may do certain things to make contact easier for everyone involved.
What those with hearing loss should do
Check your technical settings.
Checking your internet connection is one of the most important things to do before getting on a video call or group chat. This is true for those who have normal hearing as well as those who have hearing loss. A bad internet connection can cause the sound to be distorted, the video to freeze, or the call to be disconnected entirely. Check your link and set up your video calling station where your internet has the best quality. This is usually near the router. For a better signal, you may also use a wired connection.
Let others know of your hearing needs.
It’s essential to fight for your hearing needs. Know that others want you to be a part of the dialogue and are willing to make changes to ensure successful communication. You already know which techniques are most effective for your hearing needs, so sharing this knowledge with others can be highly beneficial. This can include reminders to speak one at a time, be visible, project their speech, silence their audio while not speaking, and so on.
Make use of a decent Bluetooth hearing aid.
Our best advice for hearing during video calls and group chats is to get the appropriate hearing aids. Many best-selling hearing aids come with communication features that allow you to connect your hearing aids to your device or smartphone directly. These hearing aids are generally referred to as “Made for iPhone” or “Made for Any Phone” devices.
What others should do to help those who have hearing loss
If you don’t have hearing loss yourself, but regularly video chat with someone who does, here are some ways you can make life easier for them.
Make use of hand gestures.
Another video-calling tip is to use a few basic hand gestures. When a participant wants to pose a question or make a suggestion, they should lift their hand. You may also approve with a thumbs up or love an idea with two thumbs up. This keeps everyone on the same page without checking in with each person on the call individually.
Make it a small group.
Whenever possible, keep the meeting size to a minimum. A group of no more than 5 to 7 people is perfect for an online meeting. It’s more challenging to communicate efficiently when there are more people on the call. Some people in the meeting might not be able to speak at all, making a productive meeting more difficult.
Make strategic use of the mute button.
Background noise is another aspect that can cause disturbances. It can be challenging to understand and process what the speaker is saying due to background noise. Switch off the television, music, and other household appliances to reduce unwanted noise. When you are not speaking, you can use the mute button to reduce background noise in addition to shutting off sources of noise. When there are many people on the video call/group chat, this is particularly useful.
Time to get your hearing tested
Why not have a hearing test if you’ve been suffering from hearing loss? If you have hearing loss, we will work with you to find the proper hearing aids for your needs. Bluetooth integration is also available in many hearing aids, which can be incredibly useful for video conference calls. Get in contact with us right away!