Workplace Tips

Supporting colleagues with hearing loss at work

Hearing loss is common at work – around 1 in 8 working‑age adults has some level of hearing loss – but it’s often invisible. With a few simple changes, you can make your workplace more inclusive, reduce stress, and help colleagues with hearing loss to contribute their best.

Why it matters

When hearing loss isn’t recognised or supported, people can miss key information, feel left out of chats and meetings, and become tired from constant listening effort. Inclusive communication isn’t just “being nice” – it’s part of good teamwork, professional behaviour, and equality under the Equality Act 2010.

Spotting when a colleague might need support

You might notice that a colleague:

• Struggles to follow fast group discussions or noisy meetings.
• Often asks for repetition or says “sorry, I missed that”.
• Avoids social events where sound is chaotic (after‑work drinks, busy cafés).
• Watches your lips or face closely when you talk.

These can be signs of hearing loss, not of disinterest or poor performance.

Start the conversation in a respectful way

If you want to offer support:

• Choose a private, calm moment – not in front of others.
• Focus on solutions, not labels: “Are there any changes that would make meetings easier to follow?”
• Avoid assumptions or jokes about “going deaf”; keep the tone professional and kind.
• Ask what helps them: lip‑reading, captions, written notes, sitting in a certain place, or using particular tech.

Everyday communication tips at work

• Get their attention and face them: Say their name or catch their eye before speaking. Face them directly; don’t talk while turning away or walking off. Keep your mouth visible – avoid covering it with hands, hair, or objects.
• Keep speech clear and natural: Speak at a normal pace and volume; shouting or over‑slow speech can make things harder. Use everyday words and short sentences; rephrase if they don’t understand rather than just repeating. Pause after key points to give time for processing.
• Reduce background noise when you can: For 1‑to‑1 conversations, move to a quieter space with good lighting. In open‑plan offices, avoid talking right next to loud equipment or busy walkways. In meetings, ask people not to talk over each other and to mute microphones on video calls when not speaking.
• Use visual support: Share written agendas and slides before and during meetings so colleagues can follow the structure. Summarise decisions in writing – email, chat message or shared document – after the meeting. Use captions in video calls where available.

Making meetings more inclusive

Meetings can be the hardest part of the workday for someone with hearing loss.

• Start by checking: “Can everyone hear OK? Anything we can adjust before we begin?”
• Sit or arrange seating so the colleague can see the main speakers and any presentations clearly.
• Agree turn‑taking: one person speaking at a time; the chair can invite people to speak rather than letting conversation overlap.
• Use the chat box in video calls to repeat key figures, dates and decisions, which are easy to mishear.