Posted 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 […]
Read MorePosted on Apr 28, 2025 by paul
The Story of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc: The Birth of American Sign Language and America’s First Deaf School In the early 1800s, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was a young American minister from Connecticut who became deeply interested in Deaf education. His curiosity was sparked by a little Deaf girl named Alice Cogswell, the daughter of a neighbor. […]
Read MorePosted on Apr 27, 2025 by paul
Feature VRS (Video Relay Service) VRI (Video Remote Interpreting) Purpose Facilitates phone calls between a Deaf person and a hearing person using a sign language interpreter. Provides on-demand interpreting for in-person conversations when a Deaf and hearing person are physically together but need an interpreter remotely. Who Pays Funded by the federal government (FCC) — it’s free to users. Paid by the individual, business, […]
Read MorePosted on Apr 26, 2025 by paul
Salary Comparison: State-Certified vs. Nationally Certified ASL Interpreters Certification Level Average Annual Salary Hourly Rate Typical Work Settings State-Certified Interpreter $35,000 – $55,000 $18 – $30/hr K-12 education, local community events, basic medical or social services Nationally Certified Interpreter (RID) $60,000 – $90,000+ $30 – $60+/hr Legal, medical, postsecondary education, government contracts, high-stakes interpreting State-Certified […]
Read MorePosted on Apr 25, 2025 by paul
STATE-LEVEL INTERPRETER REQUIREMENTS Each state sets its own requirements for sign language interpreters, which may vary widely. However, common expectations include: Typical State-Level Requirements: Pros of State Certification: Limitations: NATIONAL-LEVEL INTERPRETER REQUIREMENTS National certification is typically obtained through RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf), the recognized professional body in the U.S. Typical National-Level Requirements (RID Certification): […]
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