* Don't automatically assume just because the person is wearing a hearing aid that they will be able to hear you; many cannot so ask if they will be reading your lips.

* If the deaf person is going to be reading your lips then don't start speaking until they are ready and their full attention is focused on you.

* Speak very clearly but not slowly just because the person is deaf doesn't mean that they are slow. Try to avoid exaggerated lip movements and try and keep your facial expressions and gestures natural.

* If you're talking to two or more people and only one of them is deaf then don't just focus on the people who can hear you, leaving the deaf person out.

* Often people will begin to shout when they are talking with a deaf person, there is no need for this and in fact it can be very uncomfortable for the person if they are wearing a hearing aid.

* If the deaf person doesn't understand what you are saying to them then don't just keep repeating yourself, try saying what you mean in a different way.

* Try and have the conversation in a suitable place, for example trying to talk with a deaf person in a crowded busy street with traffic going past can be very difficult, it isn't easy for those with good hearing to be able to hear clearly above traffic so think how it must sound to a person who is hard of hearing.

* Try to always face the person who is hard of hearing or deaf especially if they are trying to lip read, if you keep turning your head away from them they will only be able to catch half of what you say which can be very frustrating.

* Be patient and check that the person is able to follow you.

* Try to be as clear and to the point as you possibly can be, don't just go on and on and try not to use too much slang and abbreviations that might be unknown to the other person.

If you're Hard of Hearing or Deaf

When you're talking with a person who doesn't have hearing difficulties remember these tips:

* Have you thought about learning to lip read, everyone does it to some extent even those that have perfect hearing will sometimes rely on lip reading especially in noisy places such as night clubs.

* Before you start a conversation be honest and open, tell the person you are hard of hearing and are going to be lip reading, it makes it easier on both people in the conversation.

* Make sure you ask people to get your attention before they start a conversation with you.

* Try to stand as close as possible to the person you are lip reading.

* Don't become anxious or start to panic if you lose what is being said just tell the person you lost track of the conversation.

* If you hear better in one ear than the other then turn a little to that side or ask the person to switch sides if you are side by side while having the conversation.

* If you need to then ask the person to talk a little slower.

* Make sure the person's face is always facing you if you are following the lips and watch their gestures, sometimes a person will tell the whole story through their hand movements and gestures.