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Get
their attention
Before you begin speaking, say their name or gently touch their arm. This
will help them to focus attention and concentrate on your words.
Be
near them
Try to be just over a meter (or within four feet) of the listener so that
your voice has adequate volume and is not diminished by background noise.
Face
them
Do not turn or lower your head and keep your mouth uncovered so that your
speech volume is not reduced and words are not blurred. Also, try to
remain still so that speech-readers can easily see your lips moving.
Speak
slowly
Give listeners time to assimilate what you say, but be sure that you are
not speaking so slowly that you might embarrass them or lose their
interest.
Speak
clearly and expressively
Enunciate your words carefully; over-emphasizing can distort your facial
gestures and lip movements. Do not hesitate, however, to use natural
gestures and body language to express yourself. For example, a question
will not be mistaken for a statement if you look like you are making an
inquiry.
Provide
clear, concise information
In order to understand your message, listeners must know what you are
talking about. Organize the who, what, when, where, how and why of your
information so that you get to the point and ensure that you will be
understood.
Rephrase
your sentences
If you are misunderstood, rephrase your complete sentence rather than
repeating the same key words. By keeping your message in context, you can
help your listener understand your message more clearly.
Be
aware of lighting
Back-lighting and dim light is distracting and will decrease the
visibility of your gestures and lips. be aware of background noise and
speak loudly, if necessary Traffic, television, music and competing
conversations create obstacles to clear communication. Even with the
assistance of hearing aids, it can be difficult for hard of hearing people
to distinguish speech from other sounds in the environment.
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