Nonverbal Cues to Help You in Meetings

While nonverbal cues are critically important to communication of all types, they are typically given much more significance in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community than in normal-hearing culture. Whatever the state of our hearing ability, we can take a cue from the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to bolster our communication style and become better communicators in the workplace, and outside of it.

Backchannel

“Backchannel” refers to the ways that we communicate understanding, usually while another person is speaking. We may nod along as they speak—not to signal agreement, but to signal understanding—or make utterances like “uh-huh” or “mm-hmm” to communicate that we understand. It’s like saying, “I get what you’re saying—keep going.”

Sign languages are entirely based in movements. One indicates that they’re asking a question by raising their eyebrows while signing. Even blinking while looking in a certain direction has meaning. This makes backchannels much more critical to everyday communication than in spoken language.

However, the spoken word is still inherently vague. There are misunderstandings every day that have consequences ranging from the minor to the severe. We tend to assume that someone has understood us because they heard us, but this is not always the case. Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has moved a lot of meetings into virtual space, the role that backchannel plays in our communication is even further reduced, and misunderstandings are more possible than ever.

All you need to do to pick up on backchannel is to look up more often. If people are nodding along with you or otherwise move to indicate understanding, you can proceed. If you are meeting virtually, it could be beneficial to establish a plan in advance to make time to confirm understanding. For example, you could agree to stop for five seconds at the conclusion of an explanation to allow time for people to ask a question.

Taking Turns

When someone wants a chance to speak, they’ll typically seem restless in their chair. They might move forward or sit up taller in order to get the current speaker’s attention. This can be more difficult to pick up on in a virtual meeting.

Deaf people tend to have a better awareness of what’s happening in their peripheral vision. Smaller movements will catch their attention more easily.

For those with normal hearing, it can be helpful to scan the room more frequently. Try to notice when someone seems ready to speak, and give them the opportunity when you’re ready.

Interrupting

Most of us learn from an early age that interrupting is impolite, and business meetings tend to be a place where it is not advisable. The deaf community, however, tends to be much more open to interruption as a result of a greater sensitivity to communication access. Conversations amongst the deaf will involve more forceful interjections, starting with a tap on the shoulder or hand-waving. In group conversations, anyone who notices that someone is trying to interject may also take up the cause of getting attention for that person.

That collaborative spirit can be applied to conversations amongst normal-hearing people, as well. Conversations tend to have “gatekeepers,” either officially or implicitly. If you find yourself a gatekeeper of a conversation—either because you’re running the meeting, or because you’re in a typically more included group (ie, white men)—take care to scan the room and see if anyone is trying to speak. Help bring attention to someone who is trying to have their voice heard.

You might see that someone is frustrated, which can be indicated by scrunched shoulders. If you see this, invite the person to speak if they wish.

Hearing Loss and Communication

Hearing loss that happens later in life can be very disorienting to our understanding of ourselves. Hearing aids are an important part of maintaining our best ability to communicate, but we will likely also come to rely more on visual cues. Some of the notes above regarding body language might already have more significance for you, if you’ve been living with untreated hearing loss for some time.

If you’re having new issues with hearing loss and are not currently wearing hearing aids, make an appointment for a hearing test and find out what hearing aids can do to keep you in the conversation.