Video calls with your hearing aids

Start by preparing in advance for meetings. When you send out email invitations and the connection link, include the meeting agenda. This isn't just a good habit for making information clear and accessible—it's crucial to set the stage for what topics will be covered. Having an agenda allows everyone to follow the meeting's flow, especially during tough discussions, and ensures that all participants understand the objectives right from the beginning.

Although the agenda guides the meeting and breaks it down into points, after each item, it's important to highlight key concepts—summarising what was discussed and clearing up any confusion. This helps check if the goals were met. Also, briefly introducing the next steps helps everyone follow the meeting better, making it more organised and effective.

Once the meeting is done, there's still work to do for those with hearing impairment. After the meeting, it's crucial to send follow-up notes in order to recap important points and outline the next steps. These final notes not only keep everyone on the same page, but save time for everyone involved.

Group chats offer a helpful solution to prevent crucial information from being overlooked. They serve as a platform to share key points and seek clarifications, providing an accessible way for individuals with hearing impairments or wearing hearing aids to actively participate in the meeting.

Here are some ways you can make the most of group chats:

1. Use the chat for questions or clarifications during the meeting. This ensures that everyone can stay on the same page.
2. Share summaries of meeting points in real-time. This is especially useful as agenda items conclude, helping everyone keep track of the main topics discussed.
3. Foster a more connected and flexible team environment. Group chats facilitate seamless communication and ensures that everyone can actively engage.

Nowadays, in video calls, people often choose not to activate their cameras. However, it is important to keep in mind that showing your face in a conversation or meeting holds significant importance. It enriches the overall experience beyond just hearing a voice, aiding individuals with hearing conditions. By turning on the camera, we introduce crucial communication elements such as smiles, movements, and gestures. Therefore, it's encouraged to reveal ourselves when speaking, even if the video quality isn't optimal.

Skype, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams are among the top video call platforms currently being used, particularly for business video calls. These platforms offer a range of features beyond just turning on your camera and having an integrated chat. They also support real-time subtitles, a valuable feature applicable to both small team meetings and larger group discussions. Following the video call, users can also access recorded sessions and detailed transcripts capturing the conversation.

WhatsApp is a widely favored choice for more laid-back and informal video calls. It serves as a convenient platform for casual conversations among friends, family, or colleagues. This platform can also seamlessly integrate with hearing aids through Bluetooth connectivity. This feature makes it easy for individuals with hearing aids to engage in video calls using their smartphone.

Apple goes above and beyond in ensuring accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments, seamlessly integrating a suite of features across its entire product line, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. This inclusive package includes:

• Made for iPhone Hearing Aids: improve phone call clarity by easily pairing your hearing aid with your iPhone.
• FaceTime Video Calls: enjoy video calls across all iOS devices, facilitating communication with other iOS users.
• Live Listening: transform your Apple devices into a remote microphone, broadcasting ambient audio directly to Made for iPhone hearing aids or AirPods.
• Visual Alerts: stay informed with LED flash notifications, ensuring you don't miss important alerts, even when your phone is locked.
• RTT (Real-Time Text) Calls: transmit messages instantly during calls for seamless real-time communication.
• Subtitles: access subtitles for select iTunes video content, enhancing the viewing experience.
• Earphone Settings: personalise audio settings for your headphones or earbuds, adjusting the hearing frequency to meet your specific needs.