This article discusses the way the word deaf is used and how deafness is perceived by hearing and Deaf communities. For in-depth information on the medical condition, see hearing impairment. For a description of cultural norms in the Deaf community, see Deaf culture. For an overview of the differences between viewing deafness medically, socially, or culturally, see Models of deafness. Hearing impairment is a full or partial decrease in the ability to detect or understand sounds. ... This article describes aspects of Deaf cultures. ... Deafness, or the state of being deaf, is most commonly defined as the inability of the unaided ear to perceive sounds. ...

International deaf accessibility symbol

The word deaf is used differently in different contexts, and there is some controversy over its meaning and implications. In scientific and medical terms, deafness generally refers to a physical condition characterized by lack of sensitivity to sound. Notated as deaf with a lowercase d, this refers to the audiological experience of someone who is partially or wholly lacking hearing.^[1] In legal terms, deafness is defined by degree of hearing loss. These degrees include profound or total deafness (90 dB - 120 dB or more of hearing loss), severe (60 dB - 90 dB), moderate (30 dB - 60 dB), and mild deafness(10 dB - 30 dB of hearing loss). Both severe and moderate deafness can be referred to as partial deafness or as hard of hearing, while mild deafness is usually called hard of hearing. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Accessibility is a general term used to describe the degree to which a system is usable by as many people as possible. ...

Within the Deaf community, the term "Deaf" is often capitalized when written, and it refers to a tight-knit cultural group of people whose primary language is signed, and who practice social & cultural norms which are distinct from those of the surrounding hearing community. This community does not automatically include all those who are clinically or legally deaf, nor does it exclude every hearing person. According to Baker & Padden, it includes any person or persons who "identifies him/herself as a member of the Deaf community, and other members accept that person as a part of the community.^[2]" This article needs to be wikified. ... Sign language interpreter on stage A sign language (also signed language) is a language which uses manual communication, body language and lip patterns instead of sound to convey meaning—simultaneously combining handshapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to express fluidly a speakers...

Most deaf people, at least in developed countries, have some knowledge of the dominant language of their country. This may include the ability to lip read, to speak, or to read and write. Having some knowledge of both the dominant language and sign language is called bimodal bilingualism. Lip reading, also known as lipreading, speech reading, or speechreading, is a technique of understanding speech by visually interpreting the movements of the lips, face and tongue with information provided by the context, language, and any residual hearing. ... Bimodal bilingualism refers to an individual or communitys bilingual competency in (at least) one spoken language and (at least) one signed language (spoken and signed are the modes to which bimodal refers). ...

Demographics

The global deaf population is roughly estimated to be 0.1% of the total population (1 in 1000).^[3] The figure is likely to be higher in developing countries than developed countries due to restricted access to health care, and, in some cultures, due to the high rate of intrafamilial marriages. The great majority of people with less than average hearing are elderly or developed hearing loss after leaving school.^[4] According to the U.S. National Center for Health statistics, approximately three quarters of deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans experienced the onset of hearing loss after age 18.^[4] A developing country is a country with low average income compared to the world average. ... A developed country is a country that has achieved (currently or historically) a high degree of industrialization, and which enjoys the higher standards of living which wealth and technology make possible. ...

Causes of Deafness

• Genetic Disorders:

Osteogenesis imperfecta, Leopard syndrome (multiple lentigines), Otosclerosis, Robinson type ectodermal dysplasia, Cockayne syndrome, Bjorn pili torti and deafness syndrome, Multiple synostosis syndrome, Hunter syndrome, Taybi oto-palato-digital syndrome, Hereditary nephritis, Mohr syndrome, Hurler syndrome, Waardenburg syndrome, Kartagener syndrome, Fronto-metaphyseal dysplasia syndrome, Morquio syndrome, Trisomy 13 S, Multiple lentigines syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome, Stickler syndrome,

• Congenital:

Rubella syndrome, Congenital atresia of the external auditory canal, Congenital cytomegalovirus, Congenital perilymphatic fistula, Fetal methyl mercury effects, Fetal iodine deficiency effects,

• Infectious:

Meningitis, Mumps, Measles, Ear infection (otitis media), Scarlet fever,

• Traumatic:

Traumatic perforation of the eardrum, Skull fracture (temporal bone), Acoustic trauma such as from explosions, fireworks, gunfire, rock concerts, and earphones, Barotrauma (differences in pressure),

• Toxic:

Aminoglycoside antibiotics, Ethacrynic acid - oral, Aspirin, Chloroquine, Quinidine,

• Age-related:

Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)

• Occupational:

Any occupation with exposure to loud noises on a continuous day-to-day basis can result in hearing loss due to nerve end damage. Increased attention to conditions in the work environment has markedly decreased the likelihood of work-related hearing loss. See occupational hearing loss.

• Other:

Meniere's disease, Acoustic neuroma,

• Temporary hearing loss can be caused by:

The build-up of wax in the ear canal, Foreign body lodged in the ear canal, Injury to the head, Allergy, Blocked Eustachian tubes, Scarred or perforated eardrum, Ear infections (chronic otitis externa, chronic otitis media, malignant otitis externa), Reaction to medication such as aminoglycosides, chloroquine, quinidine

Categories of deafness and hearing impairment

• These categories may be overlapping. Deafness or hearing impairment may be:
• Unilateral – Loss of hearing in one ear only,
• Pre-lingual – deafness at birth or deafness acquired before language is learned,
• Peri-lingual – Deafness acquired while in the midst of learning a first language,
• Post-lingual – acquired after a language has been learned,
• Partial – limited hearing loss,
• Progressive – hearing loss which increases over time,
• Profound – complete or near-complete inability to hear,
• Tone deaf – inability to distinguish between relative pitch (in music),
• Tinnitus – hearing damage characterized by a high pitched ringing in the ears which drowns out other sounds.

Age of onset is also a significant factor. People with unilateral hearing loss can hear normally in one ear, but have trouble hearing out of the other ear. ... A profoundly prelingually deaf individual is someone who was born with insufficient hearing to acquire speech normally, or who lost their hearing prior to the age at which speech is acquired. ... Peri-lingual deafness means to contract deafness while acquiring a first language. ... Post-lingual deafness means to contract deafness after acquiring a first language. ... People who are hard-of-hearing or have partial loss of hearing have moderate amounts of hearing loss but not enough to be considered deaf. ... Profound hearing loss is defined as hearing thresholds greater than 90 dB. A person with a profound hearing loss can only hear sounds that are louder than 90 dB. A person with normal hearing can detect sounds betwen 0 dB and 20 dB. External links Profound Hearing Loss from The... A person who is tone deaf lacks relative pitch, the ability to discriminate between notes. ... Tinnitus (IPA pronunciation: or ,[1] from the Latin word for ringing[2]) is the perception of sound in the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound(s). ...

Origin of controversy

The word "deaf" functions in one context as a simple label connoting a neutral fact of physiological circumstance. However, deafness as an issue touches on some of the complexities surrounding core issues of what it means to be human. Historically, the deaf have often been aggrieved, ostracised, oppressed, disenfranchised, and even the targets of genocidal policies by various figures throughout time.

Since the drive in humans toward language is so strong, sign language naturally developed in every sizeable deaf community on Earth. Since language is a key component of culture, once sign languages flourished, new cultures sprang up within the larger hearing communities. Given a thriving Deaf culture, controversy arises because those in the hearing community tend to think of deafness as a disability or social problem to be treated. From the other point of view, "treatments" are unneeded: a person who lives in the deaf community experiences every nuance of happiness, fulfilment, and emotional, spiritual, vocational, and intellectual edification that is possible within the hearing community. Given access to the Deaf community and identity, deafness is often not seen as a disability but as a positive attribute. Sign language interpreter on stage A sign language (also signed language) is a language which uses manual communication, body language and lip patterns instead of sound to convey meaning—simultaneously combining handshapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to express fluidly a speakers... Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning to cultivate), generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. ... This article describes aspects of Deaf cultures. ...

Deaf identity and culture

To many who are deaf, the label is one of identity, not audiological status. It is seen by them as akin to an ethnic division. It describes shared experiences in the world, not only those directly related to sight and sound (the increased awareness of one over the other) but also the cultural experiences that often inevitably follow from that. The term deaf then, used by many of those who are within the category, has little to do with an ability or inability to hear. Because of all this, and many other sociological forces, you will find some who identify themselves as deaf with much more ability to hear than many who self-identify as hearing or hard of hearing. In print, you can sometimes ascertain that the word is being used to reference the cultural identification because many people now capitalize the word when using it as a cultural label.

People who are part of Deaf culture typically use a sign language (such as American Sign Language) as their primary language and often emphatically see themselves as not disabled, but rather as members of a cultural or language minority.^[1] Members of this group use Deaf as a label of cultural identity much more than as an expression of hearing status. Hearing or hard of hearing people may also be considered culturally Deaf if they participate in Deaf culture and share Deaf cultural values; this is sometimes referred as 'attitudinal deafness'.^[2] For example, children of deaf adults (CODAs) with normal hearing ability may consider themselves, and be considered, culturally Deaf or as members of the deaf community. American Sign Language (ASL; less commonly Ameslan) is the dominant sign language of the Deaf community in the United States, in the English-speaking parts of Canada, and in parts of Mexico. ... The definition of a minority group can vary, depending on specific context, but generally refers to either a sociological sub-group that does not form either a majority or a plurality of the total population, or a group that, while not necessarily a numerical minority, is disadvantaged or otherwise has... Logo for the organization CODA International In Deaf culture, a child of Deaf adult (or simply CODA) is a hearing person who was raised by a Deaf parent or guardian. ...

Logo for the organization CODA International. In Deaf culture, a child of Deaf adult (or simply CODA) is a hearing person who was raised by a Deaf parent or guardian. Many CODAs have dual identity between Deaf and hearing cultures. A similar term KODA (Kids Of Deaf Adults), is sometimes used to refer to CODAs under the age of 18.

Because the children are hearing, but raised in a visual signing environment, they may face difficulty with social and cultural norms that differ from the norms within their deaf community, especially when attending hearing school. In some cases, CODAs may need speech therapy due to limited exposure to spoken language. Generally though, CODAs are exposed to spoken language models through extended family members, neighbors, and television. Though they are raised in a Deaf home, CODAs do not go through the same experiences as their parents, such as going to a deaf school. As such, many feel that they don't fully fit in with either the deaf world or the hearing world.

The organization CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) was established in 1983 by founder Millie Brother. CODA began hosting annual conferences in 1986 in Fremont, California. The conferences have grown and become truly international with members from all over the world. CODA has raised awareness among CODAs themselves, the deaf community and the hearing world about the unique experiences and issues of growing up between these two cultures. These experiences and issues seem to be universal among CODAs regardless of what spoken and sign languages they used. In fact many issues also apply to CODAs raised with deaf parents who are oral and do not sign. An example of similar cultural identity issues can be found with children of expatriates in a phenomenon known as Third Culture Kid. Third Culture Kids (abbreviated TCKs) is a term for children who have lived a significant portion of their lives in a country that is not their passport country, usually because of parents work obligations. ...

There are support groups for Deaf parents who may be concerned about raising their hearing children, as well as support groups for adult CODAs.

There are also several camps established for CODAs, such as the one at Camp Mark Seven which hosts two separate 2-week programs for CODAs, one from age 9 to 12 and one for CODAs from age 13 to 16 and it usually occurs during the summer, from the last month of June to mid-August.

Notable CODAs [Children of Deaf Adults]

• Alexander Graham Bell, both his mother and his wife, Mabel Hubbard were deaf.
• Edward Miner Gallaudet, founder of Gallaudet University, the world's only university for deaf and hard of hearing students. He is the son of Sophia Fowler Gallaudet and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, founder of the American School for the Deaf, the first school for the deaf in the U.S.
• Homer Thornberry, a United States Representative from the 10th congressional district of Texas from 1948 to 1963
• Keith Wann, with two other Deaf actors, perform regularly in a troupe called Iceworm, to showcase the cultural and linguistic barrier faced between the deaf and hearing worlds in a comedic fashion.
• Lon Chaney, Sr., American actor raised by deaf parents, his upbringing allowed him to better communicate in silent film
• Lou Fant, actor, acting coach in Hollywood, Ca.
• Lou Ann Walker, who wrote A Loss for Words, a story about her experience as one of three siblings growing up with two deaf parents.
• Louise Fletcher, American, Academy Award, Best Actress for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
• Richard Griffiths, English actor.
• Stefan LeFors, Canadian football quarterback for the Edmonton Eskimos

A portrait of Alexander Graham Bell in 1910s Alexander Graham Bell (3 March 1847 – 2 August 1922) was a scientist, inventor, and innovator. ... Edward Miner Gallaudet (1837-1917), son of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, was a famous early educator of the deaf in Washington, DC. He founded the first college for the deaf in 1864 which later became Gallaudet University. ... It has been suggested that Gallaudet United Now Movement be merged into this article or section. ... The American School for the Deaf (ASD) was the first institution for the education of the deaf in America. ... William Homer Thornberry (January 9, 1909 - December 12, 1995) was a United States Representative from the 10th congressional district of Texas from 1948 to 1963. ... Lon Chaney (April 1, 1883 – August 26, 1930), nicknamed The Man of a Thousand Faces, was an American actor during the age of silent films. ... Louise Fletcher as Winn Adami on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Louise Fletcher (born July 22, 1934) is an Academy Award-winning American actress. ... Although he never won an Oscar for any of his movie performances, the comedian Bob Hope received two honorary Oscars for his contributions to cinema. ... One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest can refer to: One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest (novel), a 1962 fiction novel by Ken Kesey One Attempted to Fly Over the Cuckoos Nest But Didnt Give Himself Enough Clearing Room, (film), a 1975 film adaptation of the novel One... Richard Griffiths as Uncle Vernon in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Richard Griffiths (born 31 July 1947 in Thornaby-on-Tees, Yorkshire, England) is a Tony-award winning English actor who has appeared on stage, film and television. ... Stefan Wayne Lefors (born June 7, 1981) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is an American football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. ...

Other Deaf culture acronyms

SODA - Spouse or Sibling of a Deaf adult OHCODA - Only Hearing Child of Deaf Adults (deaf parents and deaf siblings) OCODA - Only Child of Deaf Adults (no siblings) NERDA - Not Even Related to Deaf Anyone/Adult (sometimes referred to as "NERD")

Terminology

Deaf vs. hard of hearing vs. hearing-impaired

Deaf generally implies a profound loss of hearing; someone with a partial loss of hearing is more likely to be referred to as hard of hearing or the qualified partially legally deaf. People with varying degrees of hearing loss have also been referred to as hearing-impaired People who are hard-of-hearing or have partial loss of hearing have moderate amounts of hearing loss but not enough to be considered deaf. ...

The term hard of hearing may be used to describe all degrees of hearing loss up to and including total deafness. In the case of profound deafness this may be political correctness, a euphemism for the simpler and accurate "deaf." Interestingly, this is seen as a euphemism only from the side of the mainstream. The Deaf community does not generally aspire to be hearing and sees the hard of hearing label as an indication of a mindset that views them pathologically. Political correctness is the alteration of language to redress real or alleged injustices and discrimination or to avoid offense. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Total deafness is quite rare. Most deaf people can hear a little.^[5] However, since hearing loss is generally frequency-based rather than amplitude-based, a deaf person's hearing may not be usable, if the normal frequencies of speech lie in the impaired range. Hearing impairment is a full or partial decrease in the ability to detect or understand sounds. ...

People with a moderate hearing loss, of about 36–50 dB, (http://www.handsandvoices.org/resources/coGuide/05_Lossvseffct.htm), generally describe themselves as "partially deaf." Others who were born hearing, but who have partially lost their hearing through illness or injury are "deafened." Those with a slight hearing loss (eg. about 16–35 dB hearing loss (http://www.handsandvoices.org/resources/coGuide/05_Lossvseffct.htm)), or have lost some of their hearing in old age may prefer an informal term such as "hard of hearing" or "hearing-impaired".

Those with some functional hearing generally do not take part in the Deaf community, and typically work and socialize with hearing people to the best of their ability. People with all degrees of hearing impairment may encounter discrimination when looking for work, while at their jobs, or when socializing with hearing people.

Other meanings of 'deaf'

Deaf is also used as a colloquialism to refer to a recalcitrant individual or someone unwilling to listen, obey or acknowledge an authority or partner. The third line of Shakespeare's Sonnet 29 provides an example: Look up Colloquialism in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,

See also

• Models of deafness for a comparison of the medical, disability and cultural models of deafness.
• Deaf education
• Late deafened adult
• List of deaf people
• Sign language
• RNID
• National Deaf Children's Society
• Hearing impairment
• Deafblindness
• Auditory brainstem response (ABR) test

Deafness, or the state of being deaf, is most commonly defined as the inability of the unaided ear to perceive sounds. ... This is an incomplete list of notable deaf people. ... Sign language interpreter on stage A sign language (also signed language) is a language which uses manual communication, body language and lip patterns instead of sound to convey meaning—simultaneously combining handshapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to express fluidly a speakers... The Royal National Institute for Deaf People, which prefers to be referred to as RNID, seeks to represent all deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK. RNIDs headquarters are in Islington, in Central London (19-23 Featherstone Street, LONDON EC1Y 8SL). ... The National Deaf Childrens Society (NDCS) is the only British charity solely dedicated to providing support, information and advice for deaf children and young people, their families and professionals working with them. ... Hearing impairment is a full or partial decrease in the ability to detect or understand sounds. ... Deafblindness is the condition of having little or no useful sight and hearing. ... Auditory Brainstem Response or Auditory Brainstem Response Audiometry is a screening test to monitor for hearing loss or deafness in newborn infants. ...

References

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• National Association of the Deaf. The NAD protects deaf and hard of hearing civil rights in the USA.
• The Royal National Institute for Deaf People The RNID works for the UK's 9 million deaf people
• About: Deafness/Hard of Hearing
• Gallaudet University: Demographics of Deafness