Deafness and Ddeaf people :: The Myths Dispelled
"The whole idea of a stereotype is to simplify. Instead of going through the problem of all this great diversity – that it's this or maybe that – you have just one large statement; It is this." Chinua Achebe
There are many myths about deafness and Ddeaf people and a lot of ignorance about the world of deafness. Here we set the record straight.
Myth: Sign language is a universal language
Not true. Sign language isn't universal, or an international language. Just like spoken language, there are many variations. Ddeaf people in different countries don't use the same sign language. In the UK, British Sign Language BSL is used. In America it's American Sign Language (ASL). Even within BSL though there are regional variations, different signs for different things, specific signs for the names of places, just like in spoken languages. BSL is a complete language and is very different to spoken and written English, having its own structure and grammar. Deaf people use various methods of communicating. Some people use Sign Supported English SSE, which isn't a language in its own right, but English with signs.
Myth: All Ddeaf people lip read
Often people assume that all Ddeaf people lip read, but many words have the same lip shapes. Lip reading is a skill that has to be learned. Though to some extent everyone uses lip reading to a certain extent, whether hearing or Ddeaf, especially in noisy situations, relying on lip reading alone is a difficult skill that has to be learnt. Gestures and finger spelling can help Ddeaf people to lip read. Some people find it more difficult than others. The ability to lip read depends on ability, memory, amount of hearing loss, and the need to lip read.
How people speak affects the ability to lip read. If people don't speak clearly, or face the lip–reader, for example, it can be difficult for Ddeaf people to lip read. Lip reading for long periods can be very tiring as it takes intense concentration to lip read, and tiredness can affect how well a Ddeaf person is able to lip read.
Other things such as unfamiliar or strong accents and beards or large moustaches can also make it difficult, but many Ddeaf people find lip reading very useful.
Myth: Hearing aids give you perfect hearing
Any hearing aid user will tell you this isn't true. Hearing aids are a big help to many Ddeaf people, but they can't restore lost hearing, only amplify remaining hearing.
While analogue hearing aids amplify all sounds, newer digital hearing aids process sound to selectively amplify hearing, so an audiologist can ‘tune’ a hearing aid to individual hearing loss.
Whichever type of hearing aid a Ddeaf person uses, background noise is often a problem. Digital hearing aids can deal with background noise better, and some have selectable ‘programmes’ for different situations, but no type of hearing aid completely eliminates background noise. All hearing aids work best in one–to–one situations in quiet places.
Myth: I have to shout to make a Ddeaf person hear me
Not true. Shouting distorts the voice and lip shapes, making it difficult for Ddeaf people to identify words. By shouting, you can appear angry to a Ddeaf person. Don't shout, speak too slowly or exaggerate your lip movements. Speak clearly and at a normal volume. For more tips on good communication, see our Good Communication Guide.
Myth: Ddeaf people have selective hearing
"Granny only hears when she wants to" – it's a common reaction to deafness. There are many reasons why a Ddeaf person may not always understand what you're saying.
Depending on the degree of hearing loss, a Ddeaf person may be able to hear sounds at certain pitches, but little else. Profoundly and severely Ddeaf people rely on visual cues and may not realise they are being spoken to. Lip reading requires intense concentration and someone who is tired may not be able to follow a conversation well when they are tired. Hearing aid users also find some situations difficult. Hearing aids work best in quiet environments in one–to–one situations where the speaker is close. If there is background noise, several people talking, traffic sounds, or even on a windy day outdoors, hearing aid users may have difficulty hearing or not notice you speaking.
Even people with perfect hearing lose concentration sometimes, don't hear a question directed at them, or miss part of a conversation, so it's no surprise that Ddeaf people do too.
Hearing loss can be a natural part of aging and there's nothing you can do about it
It's true that some types of hearing loss can be age related, and nothing can be done to restore lost hearing, but hearing aids may help some people, and there are many assistive and alerting devices that can help people with a hearing loss. As we age, we do tend to lose some hearing naturally, but a sudden hearing loss at any age is a cause for concern and should be investigated by your doctor.
Granny shouldn't complain she can't hear if she won't wear her hearing aids
Like many things, wearing hearing aids is something that takes some getting used to, whatever your age. For new hearing aid users, hearing sounds they haven't heard for a while can be strange. Some sounds may seem very loud, be distorted, uncomfortable or even painful for hearing aid users. Ear moulds that don't fit well can cause irritation and ‘whistling’. Some people may find it difficult to operate the controls on their hearing aid.
It's easy for Ddeaf people to learn sign language
How easy people find it to learn sign language can be affected by a number of things, including the age at which they learn it, their degree of hearing loss, and the urgency of the need to learn it.
As with all languages, it's generally easier to learn sign language when you're young. For children who are born Ddeaf or lose their hearing at an early age, sign language may be their first language. As we get older, most people find it more difficult to learn new languages. How easy you find it to learn sign language can also depend on your memory and how often you use sign language.
People with severe hearing loss may find it difficult to learn sign language if they cannot hear the tutor, or if they are taught in a class where voice isn't used.
It also depends on your need to learn sign language. If you have suddenly become severely Ddeaf you may be more motivated to learn sign language quickly if it is your only means of communication.
Ddeaf people are rather stupid
People often ‘talk down' to disabled people, including Ddeaf people. This can be frustrating and embarrassing for the Ddeaf person. It's a common misconception that Ddeaf people who don't use voice, who don't speak, aren't very bright. This couldn't be further from the truth. Just like hearing people, Ddeaf people have a variety of skills and talents, and often have additional problem solving skills gained from managing their lives with a disability.
Ddeaf people who were born Deaf or who lost their hearing at an early age often have BSL as their first language. Until recently the education of Ddeaf children emphasised BSL as the primary method of communication and written and oral English skills were often neglected. Consequently many Deaf adults have poor written and oral English skills, but that isn't to say that they aren't intelligent.
All Ddeaf children are taught in special schools
While for some severely deaf children, education in a school for the Deaf may be the only option, children with mild to moderate hearing loss may be taught in mainstream schools with appropriate support. Schools for the Deaf teach both BSL and written and oral English, as well as a full curriculum. Some mainstream schools may have a partial hearing unit. Across the country there are only 33 schools for Ddeaf children. Services for Ddeaf children are patchy.
A Ddeaf child should be ‘statemented’, that is, an assessment of their needs carried out, a ‘statement of special educational needs’. From this the appropriate support package should be put in place.
Traditionally, the educational expectations of Ddeaf children were quite low. More recently though, attitudes have to some extent changed, and it is more recognised that with support, Ddeaf children have the same educational capabilities as hearing children, and there is no reason why Ddeaf children cannot, with the appropriate support, go on to further and higher education.
Ddeafness is an old person's problem
In the UK there are estimated to be almost 9 million Ddeaf people. Over 6 million of these are over 60, but almost 2.5 million are aged 16–60. Ddeafness can affect a person of any age. Many people become Ddeaf as they get older because of a condition called presbyacusis – the loss of the specialised hair cells in the cochlea.
840 babies are born each year with significant deafness, and one in 1000 children are Ddeaf at 3 years old.
The reasons for deafness in children, just as in adults, varies. Some children may have a genetic predisposition to deafness – some types of deafness can run in families. Others may lose hearing due to accident or illness. In some cases the cause of the hearing loss is not known.
(Figures from deafness from the RNID – www.rnid.org.uk↗)
There are many myths and stereotypes of Ddeaf people. Ddeaf people though are just as diverse as hearing people. Anyone, of any age, can experience hearing loss, and Ddeaf people have the same rights, needs and expectations as everyone else.
