Posted on May 06, 2025 by paul
Looking away while signing Checking your phone or smartwatch Talking to someone else mid-conversation Chewing gum, eating, or drinking Poor lighting (making it hard to see facial expressions or signs) Wearing sunglasses indoors Blocking your hands (crossed arms, holding items) Standing too far away or behind the person Signing too quickly or too slowly Using […]
Read MorePosted on May 06, 2025 by paul
If you’re new to learning about the Deaf community or American Sign Language (ASL), you may have come across different terms like Deaf, deaf, and Hard of Hearing. While they may seem similar at first glance, each term carries its own unique meaning and cultural significance. Let’s break it down: “Deaf” with a Capital D Deaf (capital “D”) refers […]
Read MorePosted on May 05, 2025 by paul
When many people hear the word Deaf, they think of someone who can’t hear. While that’s true from a medical perspective, being Deaf is about much more than hearing loss—it’s about identity, culture, community, and language. Audiological vs. Cultural Deafness From an audiological standpoint, a Deaf person typically has a profound hearing loss, meaning they hear […]
Read MorePosted on May 05, 2025 by paul
Daily Practice Ideas Practice With Others Classroom or Study-Based Practice Creative Practice Technology-Based Practice
Read MorePosted on May 04, 2025 by paul
I. Genetic Causes These are inherited or caused by genetic mutations, either present at birth or progressive over time. II. Acquired Causes These are due to factors after conception and can occur prenatally, perinatally, or postnatally. A. Prenatal (before birth) B. Perinatal (during birth) C. Postnatal (after birth) III. Unknown or Idiopathic Causes In some cases, no identifiable […]
Read MorePosted on May 02, 2025 by paul
Exposure to loud noises, whether from concerts, machinery, yelling, or other sources can cause significant and often permanent damage to a person’s hearing. Sounds above 85 decibels, which is roughly the volume of heavy traffic or a noisy restaurant, can begin to harm the delicate structures in the inner ear. Repeated or prolonged exposure to […]
Read MorePosted on May 01, 2025 by paul
Last night, I went to an AC/DC concert, and while the music was incredible, the volume was absolutely deafening. At one point, I found myself trying to talk to the friends I came with, but it was nearly impossible. We were shouting into each other’s ears, repeating ourselves, and still not really getting our messages […]
Read MorePosted on May 01, 2025 by paul
What Is a Cochlear Implant? A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to individuals who are severely to profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing.Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sounds, cochlear implants bypass the damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Main Components: Who […]
Read MorePosted on Apr 30, 2025 by paul
Hearing loss is measured in decibels (dB) — the unit of sound intensity.The more decibels lost, the more severe the hearing loss. Hearing loss typically falls into these five categories: Degree of Hearing Loss Hearing Level (dB) Description Common Experience Normal Hearing 0–25 dB Can hear soft sounds like whispering and rustling leaves. No difficulty hearing everyday speech. […]
Read MorePosted on Apr 29, 2025 by paul
1. Total Population with Hearing Loss However, this includes a wide range: 2. People Who Identify as Deaf or Seriously Hard of Hearing 3. Breakdown: Deaf vs. Hard of Hearing It’s important to distinguish: Group Estimate Notes Culturally Deaf (use ASL, strong Deaf identity) ~500,000 – 1,000,000 Use ASL as primary language Hard of Hearing (moderate-severe loss) ~10 million […]
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