Business Writing: How It Helps People with Hearing Loss

Writing, when properly managed, (as you may be sure I think mine is) is but a different name for conversation.—Laurence Sterne, novelist and Anglican clergyman

Since childhood, writing has been part of our lives—first learning to shape letters, then using them to connect, inform, and express ourselves. But once we step into the world of work, we meet a very different kind of writing: more formal, more structured, and often more intimidating.

Business writing isn’t just a professional tool—it’s a communication lifeline, especially for people with hearing loss.

Thanks for reading Silent Courage! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Here’s how it works—and why it matters.

1. What is Business Writing?

At its core, business writing is written communication used in a work context. It includes things like:

• Emails
• Job descriptions
• Reports
• Memos
• Manuals
• Social media updates

Unlike spoken communication, business writing is often more formal, permanent, and structured—but that’s also what makes it powerful.

2. The Main Types of Business Writing

• Transactional: Used when a reply is expected—think emails, forms, or internal messages.
• Informational: Sharing facts or updates without expecting a reply, like reports, announcements, or documentation.
• Instructional: Giving clear step-by-step guidance, such as training materials, procedures, or onboarding documents.

3. Why Business Writing Matters

Done well, business writing:

• Creates a permanent record
• Saves time and cost, especially across distances
• Prevents misunderstandings
• Clarifies roles and responsibilities
• Encourages calm, thoughtful responses—you can edit before sending
• Builds credibility and creates goodwill

And for people with hearing loss, it can be life-changing.

4. Where Business Writing Falls Short

It’s not perfect. Business writing can:

• Be slow when immediate responses are needed
• Lack of tone or nuance, which can lead to misinterpretation
• Feel impersonal or overwhelming if poorly formatted
• Fail in emergencies when rapid action is needed

However, we can manage these limitations with the right tools and thoughtful communication.

5. How to Write Effectively

If you want your writing to be clear, inclusive, and helpful:

• Plan what you want to say before you start
• Use a clear purpose and tone
• Keep sentences short and simple
• Use active voice
• Explain jargon or industry terms
• Break up text using headings, bullets, or numbered steps
• Proofread—use tools like Grammarly, but always read it yourself (or ask someone else)

Remember: clarity is kindness. Especially in writing.

6. Why Business Writing Matters for People with Hearing Loss

Hearing loss isn’t just about sound—it’s about access. Conversations, meetings, and phone calls often rely on assumptions: that everyone hears equally, spoken words are clear, and people will speak up if they don’t understand.

But here’s the truth:
Listening is exhausting when you live with hearing loss.

Lipreading, interpreting gestures, straining to catch tone and words in noisy environments—all of this takes intense concentration. And when you’re spending energy just to hear, you don’t always have enough left to process.

That’s why written communication is a gift.

It:

• Removes the pressure of real-time responses
• Allows people to read, re-read, and absorb meaning
• Reduces misunderstandings with names, numbers, or technical terms
• Supports confidence in meetings, planning, and daily operations

It’s not just a tool—it’s a form of inclusion.

---

Business writing has many benefits: from reducing conflict and streamlining communication to documenting decisions and boosting professionalism.

But for me, its greatest strength is how it supports those of us with hearing loss.

Because inclusion doesn’t start with fancy technology or special policies—it starts with something as simple as putting things in writing.

---

Reflect at Your Own Pace

The Silent Courage Reflection Journal
If you live with hearing loss, communication isn’t just about what’s said—it’s about what’s felt. This guided journal offers space to reflect on difficult interactions, celebrate small wins, and reconnect with your inner strength.

• Use it to process workplace conversations, jot down advocacy ideas, or simply pause after a long day of listening.

Get the Journal and rediscover the quiet power of written reflection.

---