Final answer:
The frequent communication partner is indeed affected by the patient's hearing loss, having to adjust speaking volume and clarity, particularly in the case of a significant loss like a 60-phon hearing impairment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, the frequent communication partner is affected by the patient's hearing loss. When an individual has a hearing impairment, especially one as significant as a 60-phon hearing loss, it often requires that those speaking to them adjust their communication methods. Conversations may need to be at a higher volume, and even then, clarity might be compromised as higher pitched sounds, which are typically more challenging to hear for someone with profound hearing loss, contain many of the consonant sounds critical for understanding speech.
This is particularly impactful when the speaker has a higher-pitched voice, such as many female voices, that fall into a higher frequency range. Partners in communication may need to pronounce words more clearly, reduce background noise, or even use non-verbal forms of communication to facilitate understanding.