I don't see why it would have to be better to use pen and paper than to lipread. Sure, it's probably better for some people, but if you can lipread and don't mind doing it, why shouldn't you be able to?
Hearing people usually assume that Deaf/HoH people can lipread anyways. Someone told me once that while not all Deaf/HoH can lipread, pretty much all can lipread one sentence: "Can you read lips?" Then when you answer "No," they get all pissed off because "Well you just read that!" I never assume anyone can lipread. I usually mouth what I'm signing, but more because it's helpful to me than anything else. I dunno if anyone I'm signing to ever pays attention to my lips or not. It also helps the Hearing people around me know what I'm talking about.
Lipreading shouldn't be the only accepted method of communication between Deaf and Hearing cultures, but it's a useful tool and a remarkable talent. I'm hearing, and I can't even lipread. Don't sell it short.
Hearing people usually assume that Deaf/HoH people can lipread anyways. Someone told me once that while not all Deaf/HoH can lipread, pretty much all can lipread one sentence: "Can you read lips?" Then when you answer "No," they get all pissed off because "Well you just read that!" I never assume anyone can lipread. I usually mouth what I'm signing, but more because it's helpful to me than anything else. I dunno if anyone I'm signing to ever pays attention to my lips or not. It also helps the Hearing people around me know what I'm talking about.
Lipreading shouldn't be the only accepted method of communication between Deaf and Hearing cultures, but it's a useful tool and a remarkable talent. I'm hearing, and I can't even lipread. Don't sell it short.