After a deaf Married at First Sight UK viewer took to Reddit to point out a really important aspect about the way Sacha communicates with hubby Ross during a heated discussion, an audiologist has now weighed in.
As groom Ross is hearing impaired and uses hearing aids, he often relies on lip-reading to communicate with his wife.
The MAFS fan shared that Sacha was doing a great job in navigating this new dynamic in the relationship.
Taking to Reddit, they wrote: “As a Deaf person myself, I’m really really impressed with how Sacha, even in the midst of an argument, and extremely upset, was still making sure she communicated clearly with Ross, faced him directly, enunciated her speech, not overly shouting (which distorts the sound and lipreading making it much harder to understand) used gesture to help communicate her words.
“It really speaks very highly of her empathy and awareness, and how she wasn’t going to allow any miscommunication to exacerbate the situation more than it already was.”
Sonia LaLeta, an audiologist at the University of Manchester, joined the conversation about arguing with a deaf loved one and told Tyla that ‘in situations involving communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals, it is so important to be mindful of how we engage in conversation’.
She explained that ‘as an audiologist, I would stress the following points’ to anyone hoping to communicate effectively with someone with hearing impairment’.
Facing the person directly
LaLeta shared: “One of the most important factors in communicating with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing is to always face them directly. This allows them to read lips, pick up on facial expressions, and take in visual cues that are essential for understanding.
Sacha is very clear with who she is speaking to (Channel 4)
“Turning away or covering your mouth can significantly hinder their ability to follow the conversation.”
Clarity and lighting
If you are speaking to someone who is deaf, ‘ensure that the environment is well-lit so the person can see your face clearly’.
She explained: “Speaking slowly and clearly (but not exaggerating) helps with lip-reading. Avoid shouting, as it can distort the sound, making it more difficult for those using hearing aids or cochlear implants.”
The MAFS couple communicate well (Channel 4)
Avoid background noise
Another thing you could do is to: “Minimise distractions and background noise, as this can make it harder for the individual to focus on the conversation or hear if they rely on any residual hearing or assistive devices.”
Use gestures and writing
The expert share that ‘sometimes, using gestures or writing down key points can be helpful in ensuring the message is understood, especially during heated or emotional discussions where clarity is crucial.’
This is why you should aim to make things as clear as possible, to avoid further conflict.
Sacha uses a lot of hand and facial gestures when communicating with her husband (Channel 4)
Patience and repetition
It might be difficult at first, bit ‘if the person does not understand, repeating or rephrasing is more helpful than getting frustrated or assuming they are uninterested’.
The audiologist said: “Patience goes a long way in building an effective and respectful communication environment.”
LaLeta concluded that ‘in situations like the one on Married At First Sight, arguments or emotional conversations can become more challenging.’
But ‘a lack of awareness of these principles may cause frustration or misunderstanding, which is why ensuring everyone is educated on how to properly communicate in these contexts is crucial for inclusivity and respect.’
