Hearing ? f you are speaking to someone who is deaf?

A lot of deaf people read lips. So make sure you are facing them when you are communicating. It has been my experience (of the deaf people I have met), that they are very patient and kind to us hearing people when we try and communicate with them. They have been very helpful in teaching me some sign and very patient when I try and communicate using their language.

If the person doesn't lip read, then you can always write notes.

Deaf people make many accomodations to communicate in a hearing world. So my first reaction is that if a hearing person is seeking to communicate with a Deaf person -- the hearing person is the one that needs to make the accomodation (i.e. it's not the Deaf person's problem that you don't know sign language).

That being said, I'll shove my soap box back under the desk.

** Be sure you face the person - eye contact is essential in communication with the Deaf person

** Wait for each other to full complete what you are trying to say (avoid interruptions)

** If communicating something important, take the time to clarify and ensure that both parties understand the key points

Not sure if you mean the deaf person you wish to communicate with can only use sign language. I have two profoundly deaf friends I never knew were deaf for the first couple of years of acquaintainceship as they are both proficient lipreaders. As they both had long hair I didnt notice their hearing aids and just assumed that one of them had an "unusual accent"! When talking to them now I know to face them directly when speaking and not look away or cover my mouth.

I presume if the deaf person cannot lip read they can read and write so you could write messages... and there is no reason why they cannot help you learn sign language as you go along. sign language is easier to learn than most spoken worlwide languages so why not give it a go...

I dont understand about changing the way you communicate with a deaf person...I'm sure if you want to be friendly you can both find a way. I expect deaf people are used to finding a way of communicating with those of us that dont speak their "language" same as if you were on holiday abroad and made friends with people who didnt have the same language in common.

Good Luck

I think it's rude when hearing people raise their voice or over-exaggerate their mouth movements to communicate with Deaf people. Some Deaf people have enough hearing to communicate with hearing people in that way, but it's rude for hearing people to assume that's how they want to be communicated with. Write notes! It's obvious to the Deaf person you can't sign, so if they want to communicate using spoken English they will... if not, they'll continue to go back and forth with note-writing.

I do see some hearing people people using gestures to communicate as well. I always found that interesting... at least it's not as rude.

Its easy. Iam (D)eaf . Most us can speech read really good just turn to us make sure is well lit. dont yell dont over pronounce.

Just like you talk to anyone else. if we dont understand we ask you to say another way. its not like we are aliens or dumb. we can usually follow especially for people with a CI.

Be sure that you are facing them because many have some lip reading skills. Avoid areas with background noise.Make sure that you have their attention before starting to speak

First off, you flip um off just to break the ice, they warm up fast. Before you know it you are an expert in sign but what you don't know is the deaf person just taught you to say I am a pansy and I wear beer bottles in my ears in sign language instead, you thought he was teaching you a greeting.

write on a paper