Everybody’s workplace is different. Some people are constantly surrounded by construction noise or a flurry of coworkers making sales calls, while others work from the quiet comfort of their office or home. If you fall into that former group, you might have noticed that communicating in a busy environment can be tricky—especially if you or one of your coworkers is among the more than 10% of people with hearing loss.
Let’s take a look at a few helpful communication techniques you can employ for better understanding in your noisy workspace.
Face the Speaker
Whenever possible, face the person speaking directly. This way, you can read their facial expressions, lip movements and body language. If you work in a construction zone or one of Katy’s manufacturing plants, you can even develop signals to communicate important things so that you aren’t constantly yelling over the noise.
Confirm Information
It’s easy to mishear things in noisy environments. To ensure you have the correct information, repeat details back to the speaker. For example, if you’re talking about a project deadline, you can say, “That’s due Friday, correct?” Remember, it’s always better to double-check that you heard something accurately than to try to guess at missing information.
Use Written Follow-Ups
Written follow-ups not only ensure that everybody understands the information, but they also create a paper trail that people can check if they forget a new role or assignment. Write a quick summary and email it to your coworkers to ensure everyone has access to the same information.
Choose the Right Time and Place To Talk
The shop floor isn’t always the best place to convey important information. Instead, wait for the background noise to quiet down or move to a quieter location to create easier communication.
Encourage Questions
An atmosphere where people feel comfortable asking questions is crucial to improving communication in noisy workplaces. If you have hearing loss, let your boss or coworkers know that you might need to ask follow-up questions or clarify points from time to time. If you work with someone who has hearing loss, saying something simple like “Let me know if you have any questions,” or “Let me know if you want me to repeat that,” can make all the difference.
For more tips on improving communication in the workplace or to schedule a hearing test, contact Today’s Hearing today.