Communication is consistently reported as one of the most—if not the most—significant factors to strengthening and preserving healthy relationships. As reported by the PBS program The Emotional Life:
“How couples behave when solving problems together or arguing can predict the character and success of their relationship. A raised eyebrow, a hand on the arm, or a greeting all may seem like small things, but research shows that the quality of everyday interactions can make or break a relationship.”
Similarly, communication skills are just as important at work: one 2014 survey of approximately 600 employers discovered that communication skills are the most in-demand set of skills among employers. In fact, of five major skill sets employers consider most valuable when rendering a hiring decision, communications skills top the list.
From preserving healthy relationships to getting hired to being promoted, communication has an affect on virtually every element of our lives. Working to improve our communication skills, then, is not a bad place to start if we wish to make some positive improvements.
How to become a highly effective communicator
Becoming an effective communicator is not terribly complicated, but it will call for some basic skills and the motivation to practice.
A good place to start is to acknowledge that the objective of any communication situation is a genuine, open-ended exchange of information where all parties can be heard and acknowledged. This necessitates assertive and articulate speaking skills, but, just as significantly, requires strong listening skills.
In fact, listening skills may be the most significant component of communication. The explanation is simple: if you cannot understand what is being said, you won’t have the capacity to articulate a relevant and meaningful reply. This failure to understand is the root cause of countless misunderstandings, arguments, and bad feelings.
Improving listening skills, then, is the single most significant thing you can do to become a more effective communicator. And while active listening can be challenging on its own, hearing loss makes things even trickier.
Hearing loss and the obstacles to active listening
Active listening requires dedicating all attention to the speaker. Only by fully understanding the message can you produce a relevant and substantive reply, and that’s why inadequate speakers are nearly always distracted listeners.
But what produces the distraction?
Here are four typical sources of distraction and how hearing loss tends to make things worse:
Distraction # 1: Stress
If you’ve ever been overly stressed or anxious, you understand how difficult it can be to focus your attention. You’re more likely to be focusing on on your personal thoughts and feelings rather than on the speaker’s, and you’re very likely to lose out on critical non-verbal signs and to misread what others are saying.
With respect to stress, hearing loss by itself is a considerable source. You may become anxious about missing out on important ideas or coming up with embarrassing responses. And, the struggle to hear speech in the existence of hearing loss is a source of anxiety and strain itself.
Distraction # 2: Lack of focus
Active listening is challenging because our minds have the normal inclination to wander. You can’t both pay attention to the speaker and daydream, read your email, text message, and plan what you’re going to say next. Remaining inside of the present moment and concentrating on the speaker is the only method to pick up on the subtle details of the speaker’s message.
Hearing loss creates a lack of focus because it removes you from the present moment. If you’re attempting to figure out what the speaker just said, you’re also missing out on what they’re saying right now. The continual catch-up virtually guarantees that you’ll never completely understand the message.
Distraction # 3: Misunderstanding
Stress and lack of focus can both cause you to misinterpret the message. This introduces the possibility of you becoming upset or agitated with a message that the other person never actually intended to send.
This at the very least wastes time and in the worst case manufactures bad feelings. Not to mention the irritation of the individual who is consistently misunderstood.
Distraction # 4: Lack of confidence
If you lack self-confidence, you’ll find it very difficult to assert yourself while communicating. You’ll likely also be preoccupied with what the other person thinks rather than on the content of what they’re stating.
Hearing loss makes things much worse, of course, because your misinterpretations could be perceived as a sign that you just don’t comprehend the message. If you’re consistently requesting clarification on simple points, it makes it hard to feel sufficiently confident to be assertive.
How hearing aids can help you
Coming to be a better communicator necessitates becoming a better listener, but how can you come to be a better listener if you have hearing loss? You have several choices, but because hearing aids have advanced so far in terms of identifying and amplifying speech, they really are the ideal solution.
Modern digital hearing aids have a host of amazing features made specifically for speech recognition. Many hearing aid models have background noise suppression, directional microphones, and advanced digital processing so that speech comes through loud and clear.
Without the need to strain to hear speech, you can concentrate all of your efforts on understanding the message. Then, as you become a better active-listener, your self-confidence, assertiveness, and speaking skills will all take care of themselves.
If you have hearing loss and you’re prepared to start strengthening your distraction-free listening skills, schedule your hearing test today.