Conducting research with participants with an auditory impairment

Tips for conducting research with participants with an auditory impairment

• Write down any instructions
  Have instructions written down so that participants can read them instead of you talking to them and them using an interpreter or lipreading. This will be down to personal preference of the participant, however, sometimes reading will take less energy and will be easier for them.
• Face the participant and speak clearly
  When talking to someone with an auditory impairment, the following steps will make it easier for them to lip read and understand you:
  • Get their attention before you start to speak.
  • Face them whilst you’re speaking.
  • Don’t cover your mouth whilst you are talking.
  • Speak clearly.
• Speak directly to them.
  Some deaf people will have an interpreter with them. Although they will be helping you to communicate with the participant, it is best practice (and polite) to speak directly to the participant, not to their interpreter.