What is the relationship between the degree of hearing loss and the reliance on speechreading?

The relationship between the degree of hearing loss and reliance on speechreading is based on the idea that individuals with more severe hearing loss often depend more on visual cues to understand spoken language. When hearing loss is significant, auditory information becomes insufficient for effective communication, prompting reliance on visual cues such as lip movements, facial expressions, and body language.

As the severity of hearing loss increases, individuals may struggle to hear even loud speech sounds, which can lead to challenges in understanding conversations solely through auditory means. Consequently, they may turn to speechreading as a compensatory strategy to glean meaning from the speaker's visual cues, making it a critical tool for effective communication.

In contrast, individuals with mild hearing loss may still access enough auditory information to understand speech without heavy reliance on visual cues. They may not use speechreading as much because they have some ability to hear speech sounds, but those with more severe losses find it increasingly necessary to enhance comprehension through visual input. This highlights the significant link between the degree of hearing loss and the extent to which individuals employ speechreading skills.