As more employees work remotely and participate in virtual meetings, organizers need to ensure that people with hearing loss can fully participate in those events, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association said Tuesday.

The good news, according to ASHA, is employers and other virtual meetings organizers can implement simple steps to optimize the effectiveness of online meetings for participants with hearing loss. They are:

Make Time for Introductions. Start each meeting with a few minutes of general conversation. This can give people with hearing loss a few minutes to make sure they can hear everyone appropriately and make any necessary adjustments to their equipment.

Use Video. Whenever possible, use a virtual meeting platform that allows for the use of a webcam, and encourage all participants to utilize the webcam option. The availability of visual cues for people with hearing loss, and even those without hearing loss, aids in understanding conversation.

Check Lighting. Participate in video calls in a room with good lighting. When using a webcam, it is best to have lighting in front of you rather than behind you so facial features are not obscured.

Keep Your Mouth Unobstructed. Try to keep hands, hair, and clothing away from your mouth/face. Project when speaking so that listeners have the best opportunity to hear and understand.

Use the Mute Button. When you aren't speaking, keep your microphone muted. When multiple people are participating in an online meeting, the collective of background noise from each participant's home can be highly disruptive.

Wait Your Turn. Don't interrupt others, as it is harder to shift listening from one speaker to the next in a virtual meeting.

Share Your Screen. If the meeting is focused on a particular document or resource that you are presenting, consider sharing your screen, so that all attendees can view the document or resource in real-time. Use your computer mouse to help highlight key areas or information you are discussing, or use the mouse as a digital pointer, circling the section under discussion.

Record Your Meeting. If you are the meeting organizer, consider recording the meeting. Let attendees know that the meeting is being recorded and where they can access it after the meeting.

As for people with hearing loss, ASHA has the following recommendations to help them get the most from virtual meetings:

Use Earbuds/Headphones with Computer or Other Device. Many earbuds and headphones have noise-canceling technologies that can make it easier to hear the dialogue in the meeting, without needing to increase the volume, and reduce the background noise.

Sync Up with Hearing Aids. If you wear hearing aids, ask your audiologist if there is a connectivity option that would allow your hearing aids to connect via Bluetooth directly to the device you use for virtual meetings.

Speak Up. Remember: Good communication is a universal right for all. Be sure to talk to your employer and advocate for yourself if you are not able to hear or understand. If you are struggling to hear, there may be others who are struggling, as well. You don't want to miss important assignments, information, updates, or knowledge necessary for your participation during and after the meeting.

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