The art of conversation.....lost, or just changed?

lol....ttyl..... bff....g2g...nvm....is this how we converse today? Indeed in vast portions of society this is the language of choice. The question becomes what does this do to our ability to really understand one another and effectively communicate? I do not dispense of  this form of communication as irrelevant, it is obvious that is is here to stay and evolve as a communication mode.

In the professional context as an Audiologist I have reason to be concerned with the way in which we communicate specifically with the hearing impaired. The generation caught in the middle of this clipped short formed communication style as opposed to the more elongated, developed, elegant conversation of an era fading away are the Baby Boomers.  The Baby Boomers do communicate on the information highway  but also value social conversation that develops over time. These folks still take part in group social activity that revolves around communication and conversation.

The hearing impaired individual requires multiple cues to really understand speech. There is a necessary need for redundancy and reiteration of subject and content to enable optimal understanding for the hearing impaired individual. In addition to auditory redundancy is a need for further redundancy linked to visual cuing as well. We find communication optimized when we can both hear and see the individual with whom we are conversing.

No matter what our generational style of communication it is probably true that taking the time to have a slow conversation that develops over time on a face to face basis can be a rewarding and relaxing process. Sitting down and having a coffee with a friend or colleague can lead one to have a clearer understanding of that person. It is far more likely that we will misunderstand a quick comment or assertion than one that is introduced, developed, and completed as a thought.  Should it not be our intent to make every effort to be clearly understood?