Lipreading is the skill of being able to see speech sounds. It is often called speechreading, because people also use other clues, such as facial expressions, gestures and the surroundings, to help work out what is being said. Lipreading can help people with hearing loss cope better in everyday conversations.
Not every word needs to be understood for lipreading to be useful. People can also develop other skills that help them follow what is being said. Lipreading is especially helpful for people who can hear only about half of what is said, as it lets them understand more.
The benefits of lipreading#
How much lipreading helps depends on each person’s natural aptitude for it and the amount of effort they put in. For someone who can hear only part of a conversation, lipreading can fill in many of the gaps and make communication far easier.
Limitations of lipreading#
Lipreading cannot make up for hearing that has been lost. It is not possible to consistently understand everything that is said through lipreading alone. Common difficulties include:
- Normal speech is often too fast to lipread easily
- Many speech movements are not visible on the lips
- Many speech patterns look similar, leading to confusion and doubt
- Some words look alike on the lips, even though they sound different
- Many people do not speak clearly
Learning to lipread#
Developing the ability to lipread takes:
- Practice
- Patience
- Perseverance
Once the skill has been developed, it needs constant use. Without regular practice, your ability to lipread will fade.
When speaking to a person with hearing loss#
When you talk with a person who has hearing loss, it helps to face them, speak clearly and naturally, and avoid covering your mouth.
Where to get help#
Sources & further reading
For evidence-based global guidance on this topic, consult authoritative public-health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), CDC, NHS, and ECDC.