On Saturday, March 19th, 2022 HLAA-TC had Kristen L. Swan present and facilitate a discussion between members and their Communication Partners (CP). It was a very engaging discussion with a lot of audience participation. We hope to have a discussion meeting like this again but until then below are the discussion questions shared by Kristen L. Swan, MA, LP, Regions Hospital Health and Wellness Program Serving Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard-of-Hearing that might be useful when talking with your Communication Partner(s) (CP).

Discussion Questions related to problems with communication for Communication Partners (CP) and People with Hearing Loss (PHL) As presented by Kristen L. Swan to HLAA-TC on March 19, 2022

1. What are some of your biggest frustrations, irritations or ‘pet peeves that happen as a result of trying to communicate with the PHL or dealing with hearing loss in your family?

2. What is something that triggers sadness, grief, or disappointment for you?

3. What do you think is hardest for the Person with Hearing Loss (PHL)?

4. What does the PHL likely think is hardest for you?

5. What do you wish that the PHL would do differently?  

6. What is one thing that you KNOW that you  should do differently but find it hard to remember to do so?

7.  Why do you think it is hard to discuss communication problems with  one another and ~what prevents you from doing so?

8. What are some possible outcomes of avoiding these discussions?

9. In what ways has your partner’s hearing loss changed things for you in going through the daily activities of your life, if at all?

10. What changes do you notice in yourself or the PHL related to your personality, attitude, etc.?

11. Do you feel that the hearing loss is more one person’s challenge or responsibility than the other? Why?

12. Are there times when you think or feel that the PHL isn’t trying hard enough or making the effort to understand?

13. What is something positive that you have gained, if anything, from living with someone with hearing loss?

14. What are some creative things you have done or discovered that make your lives easier or help you stay connected?

15. What are things you do to take care of yourself, manage stress and ‘build a life worth living’?  What could you do more of?

16. What has it been like to think about these questions and share your thoughts and feelings honestly and openly?

We are definitely going to do another discussion like this again. In the meantime, please use these questions to facilitate a conversation with your Communication Partners (CP) and let us know how it goes.