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Deaf/Hard of Hearing
What is it?
- Inability to hear
- Having reduced or deficient hearing
- Occurs any time during one's life
- Does not affect intelligence
- Does not affect the mechanics of producing sounds
- Speech impairments may be present
Warning signs
- Inappropriate responses
- Speaking with an unusually loud/soft voice
- Not hearing when someone speaks from behind
- Appearing to attend but not actively participating
- Asking for repeats often
- Responding with smiles and nods but no further comments
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Myths
- Deaf and/or hard of hearing individuals cannot drive
- Most own and operate their own vehicles
- Hearing aids completely correct hearing loss
- Hearing aids improve hearing for some individuals
- Deaf individuals do not know/understand the English language
- Many were educated with hearing students and know English well; others learned English as their second language
- Deaf people are mute
- Some are self conscious and do not use their voice
- Deaf people can read lips
- Not all deaf people lip-read; only about 25% of speech is visible on the lips