ABSTRACT
This chapter presents two basic and essential skills in social work practice: communication and relationship-building. A brief review of several approaches to enhancing communication will help to prepare the reader for learning about the kinds of communication problems and possible approaches to them that will be helpful in working with clients. A frequent problem that occurs with both workers and clients trying to work around a hearing limitation is that voices are raised in an attempt to compensate for hearing loss. Disability is only one of these, and, with effort and dedication, much can be done to surmount the barrier and to communicate effectively with clients, using client strengths and abilities as well as worker skills. Many clients with hearing impairments use hearing aids to assist them in communicating effectively. Many people experience difficulty in communication due to sensory impairments.
