September is International Deaf Awareness Month and the third full week is Deaf Awareness Week! Here are a few tips and tricks to get the most out of this important celebration.
| Not all students with a hearing loss use sign language to communicate. Some students use their own voice and amplification to assist.
Regardless of a student's hearing loss or mode of communication they should be treated equal to peers. In many cases, it is only the hearing that is affected. |
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| Sound travels through airwaves, mechanical levers, hydraulic pressure and electrical currents.
When loud sounds are presented, the hair cells at the base of the cochlea (shell shape) are affected first. It is most common to lose these high frequency sounds as you age. Hence why female voices are more difficult to hear than deeper male voices. Watch this fun cartoon to learn more about how our ears work! |
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| There are many people who identify with and fit into deaf culture. Each deaf and hard of hearing person is unique! Did you know, big 'D' Deaf stands for someone who identifies as culturally Deaf? People who are 'd' deaf have a medical diagnosis without identifying towards cultural implications.
There is no one way to be deaf or hard of hearing. There are many modes of communication (ASL, auditory/oral, sign supported speech) many types of amplification (hearing aids, cochlear implants, or none) and many degrees of family support! |
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| ASL is the third most used language in the USA! Sign Language is not universal. While this is an international celebration, each country has their own signs! (And of course, not all individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing know sign language.) |  |
| Some individuals who are hard of hearing often feel “too deaf” to blend in with hearing peers without barriers, and “too hearing” to blend into Deaf culture and gatherings.
Hard of hearing - often refers to individuals who have hearing loss, use their residual hearing, speech reading skills and speech to communicate directly with those around them. The term “Hearing Impaired” is viewed as offensive as it emphasizes the disability and not empowering abilities. This is only accepted, culturally, within a medical diagnosis. |
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| Sign Names are a cherished part of Deaf culture that identify a person based on specific rules and may only be given by an individual who is Deaf.Learn more with this video! |
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