Small Talk

hearing aids and listening devices . 75
this little shift will make both of you feel more comfortable.
It can be disconcerting to have someone staring
straight into your eyes. A little polite acquiescence will
make both of you feel connected but comfortable.
You can also increase the comfort level of your conversation
partner by modifying your own style to be more
similar to hers. If you are chatting with someone who
speaks slowly and softly, work to keep your volume low as
well. You can overwhelm a slow-talking, soft-spoken person
with your own volume and speed. This is not to say
you shouldn’t be yourself; you should. However, as the
“host,” you want to enhance the comfort of your guest.
VERBALIZE YOUR LISTENING
Verbal cues complement the visual feedback you give
a speaker. The absence of verbal cues makes a speaker
wonder if anyone is listening. I called my dad, who lives
in Buffalo. I was telling him a story about the kids, and
there was silence on the other end of the phone. I
abruptly stopped the story and asked, “Dad, are you
there?” He became indignant and said, “Of course I’m
here. I’m listening to you. Tell me about my grandkids.”