Questions about Deaf Culture as opposed to hearing

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Mikayla

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Questions about Deaf Culture as opposed to hearing

Hi, My name is Mikayla. I am a 10th grade student. I am hearing, but have been learning sign language for two years now. I have to do a research project for school that involves a lengthy paper and a speech. I chose to research the question: Why is deaf culture so different from hearing, even though we live in the same country? For the project I need to interview deaf people. I have emailed many deaf I know of, but responses are slow. If you can help me out... the questions are below. Feel free to ask me anything as well. Also, the questions aren't meant to offend anyone or be too personal, skip any you do not want to answer. Anything else you can share would be a GREAT help! I want to hear your opinions! Some of the answers to the questions are obvious too. But I want to have data and reasons why deaf culture is so much richer than hearing people assume. Thank you!!


How old were you when you became considered deaf?

What type of schooling did you have?

Why do you think many hearing people view being deaf as a disability?

Why do you think there is such a different attitude about the definition of “disability” from hearing to deaf people?

Do you think sign language should be used with handicapped people? Why or why not?

For what reasons do you think the deaf community and culture is so different from the hearing community?

What are specific differences you find from hearing culture to deaf culture?

Do you think that hearing people would be better off learning sign language?

What do you believe would close the gap between the hearing and deaf?

How do you feel about cochlear implants? What has shaped your opinion on this?

Do you ever wish you were hearing?
 
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To answer your last question: one CAN'T go back to hearing if one becomes deaf. A Cochlear Implant is an device which MAY assist SOME DEAF PERSONS hear somewhat. It will NOT give total hearing.

When I became bilaterally deaf on December 20, 2006, I triggered the process to be considered for a Cochlear Implant in early 2007. Successful-operation July 12, 2007 I fit the "late deafened group". Was in the Profound classification over 30 years before deafness.

At a recent Sunnybrook/Toronto Implant patients meeting, it was mentioned what has happened there over the last 18 years. Implanted only 850 persons and had a rejection rate for one reason or other of over 60% This teaching hospital deals with adults in roughly 1/5 of Ontario.

There is much discussion re deaf vs Deaf- Cochlear Implants /ASL here in alldeaf.com.

Good luck in your studies.

Implanted Advanced Bionics-Harmony activated Aug/07
 
How old were you when you became considered deaf?
2 or 3?
What type of schooling did you have?
Mainstream



Why do you think many hearing people view being deaf as a disability?
They see more deaf people without good jobs and living in poverty.

Why do you think there is such a different attitude about the definition of “disability” from hearing to deaf people?
Deaf people from birth have no reference point to think like hearing do that deaf miss out a lot. It is just different.
Do you think sign language should be used with handicapped people? Why or why not?
I think it should be used with anyone who can benefit from it. Why? Communicating is good.


For what reasons do you think the deaf community and culture is so different from the hearing community?
Fewer deaf than hearing, so it is a tighter group where everyone knows everyone else's business.
What are specific differences you find from hearing culture to deaf culture?
Already emumerated above.

Do you think that hearing people would be better off learning sign language?
If they live in a community with Deaf people and want to communicate yes.

What do you believe would close the gap between the hearing and deaf?
It has a lot already with modern technology of computers, smartphones,notepads, etc.


How do you feel about cochlear implants? What has shaped your opinion on this?
Not a candidate.


Do you ever wish you were hearing?
No.
 
Well Bottesini: she gets another comment that is reasonable. Persons with very different circumstances react in very different ways-without a "hatchet attack" involved.

Are you getting ready for work: Walk your herd of hounds in the rain- Prof SKY querying?
Cheers

Implanted-Advanced Bionics-Harmony activated Aug/07
 
drphil said:
Are you getting ready for work: Walk your herd of hounds in the rain- Prof SKY querying?
Cheers
Click to expand...
drphil, why don't you PM Bott rather than hijack threads with your casual converasations with her. Or maybe use the threads in the General Chat forum (What are you thinking about?/What did you learn today?/What did you do today?)
 
How old were you when you became considered deaf?
--my hearing loss was detected around 35. I started wearing HAs in my early 40's

Why do you think many hearing people view being deaf as a disability?
--Because they would feel "lost" w/o their hearing.

Why do you think there is such a different attitude about the definition of “disability” from hearing to deaf people?
--Hearing people have experienced hearing, those born deaf have not.

Do you think sign language should be used with handicapped people? Why or why not?
--It should be taught to anyone who could benefit from it to facilitate communications

For what reasons do you think the deaf community and culture is so different from the hearing community?
--Different experiences

Do you think that hearing people would be better off learning sign language? --It would be nice if everyone learned at least the basics so that they could communicate with any deaf they may encounter.
--I believe anyone going into "service" fields should learn it. My daughter is studying Nurse Tech in high school and is taking ASL classes with me. Her friend, who is in the Early Childhood program at her school is also taking the class.
--Delaware has recently included ASL in the "foreign" language curriculum in the high schools. Unfortunately, UD does not, yet, accept ASL as meeting it's entrance requriements.

What do you believe would close the gap between the hearing and deaf?
--more educating of the hearing about deafness and Deaf Culture
 
How old were you when you became considered deaf?
started losing my hearing at 36--it's progressive

What type of schooling did you have?
neighborhood school because I was hearing then

Why do you think many hearing people view being deaf as a disability?
because hearing people have no idea how they could cope without hearing

Why do you think there is such a different attitude about the definition of “disability” from hearing to deaf people?
because deaf people live full, independent lives without hearing--there are very few things that a deaf person cannot do--hearing people just don't know that

Do you think sign language should be used with handicapped people? Why or why not?
Yes. The more people who learn sign language the better.

For what reasons do you think the deaf community and culture is so different from the hearing community?
The Deaf community is relatively small. Deaf/hoh people know each other and tend to hang out together. A small, tight-knit group creates a culture of its own. There are also some families who have genetic hearing loss and deafness becomes part of the family. I'm the 3rd generation in my family that has gone deaf (probably more generations back).

What are specific differences you find from hearing culture to deaf culture?
Deaf people are more direct than hearing people. Things that are considered rude in the hearing community are not considered rude in the Deaf community. Deaf people also tease each other a lot.

Do you think that hearing people would be better off learning sign language?
I think that people are better off learning as many languages as possible. Languages widen the group of people with whom you can communicate and that's a good thing.

What do you believe would close the gap between the hearing and deaf?
Sign language and technology like computers.

How do you feel about cochlear implants? What has shaped your opinion on this?
I don't think that I'll ever get CIs because I'm happy with my life. I don't believe that CIs are "wrong." It is a very individual decision.

Do you ever wish you were hearing?
No. I'm content and happy like I am.
 
drphil said:
Well Bottesini: she gets another comment that is reasonable. Persons with very different circumstances react in very different ways-without a "hatchet attack" involved.

Are you getting ready for work: Walk your herd of hounds in the rain- Prof SKY querying?
Cheers

Implanted-Advanced Bionics-Harmony activated Aug/07
Click to expand...

LoveBlue said:
drphil, why don't you PM Bott rather than hijack threads with your casual converasations with her. Or maybe use the threads in the General Chat forum (What are you thinking about?/What did you learn today?/What did you do today?)
Click to expand...
Have begun the process of communicating via PM with drphil, as I enjoy our casual conversations. :)
 
Mikayla said:
Questions about Deaf Culture as opposed to hearing

Hi, My name is Mikayla. I am a 10th grade student. I am hearing, but have been learning sign language for two years now. I have to do a research project for school that involves a lengthy paper and a speech. I chose to research the question: Why is deaf culture so different from hearing, even though we live in the same country? For the project I need to interview deaf people. I have emailed many deaf I know of, but responses are slow. If you can help me out... the questions are below. Feel free to ask me anything as well. Also, the questions aren't meant to offend anyone or be too personal, skip any you do not want to answer. Anything else you can share would be a GREAT help! I want to hear your opinions! Some of the answers to the questions are obvious too. But I want to have data and reasons why deaf culture is so much richer than hearing people assume. Thank you!!

To preface this, I am not deaf/Deaf. I am the mother of a deaf son and have been an advocate for deaf educational rights for 25 years, and have been a counselor specializing in deaf mental health for the past several years.
How old were you when you became considered deaf?
My son was deaf from birth. He was formally diagnosed at age 9 months.

What type of schooling did you have?

Minimal time in the mainstream, majority at a deaf school that had a bi-bi environment.
Why do you think many hearing people view being deaf as a disability?
Because they view deafness from a hearing perspective.

Why do you think there is such a different attitude about the definition of “disability” from hearing to deaf people?
Because hearing people fail to see the Cultural Model of deafness.

Do you think sign language should be used with handicapped people? Why or why not?

Of course. But please be careful of the use of the word "handicapped." One is "handicapped only if one allows oneself to be, or because of societal barriers. People have disabilities. That does not mean that they are automatically "handicapped." ASL has been shown to be useful in overcoming various disabilities, not just deafness. It should be much more widely promoted as an option.

For what reasons do you think the deaf community and culture is so different from the hearing community?

Because of different priorities and norms.
What are specific differences you find from hearing culture to deaf culture?

Different priorities and norms and the way that deafness is perceived.

Do you think that hearing people would be better off learning sign language?
Everyone is always better off when they are bilingual.

What do you believe would close the gap between the hearing and deaf?

Changing attitudes of the hearing from the medical, pathological view of deafness.
How do you feel about cochlear implants? What has shaped your opinion on this?

Cochlear implantation is up to the individual who has reached an age of understanding exactly what is entailed. I dislike implants being used to restrict a child to an oral only environment. Personal experience with implanted deaf children and the challenges they continue to face following implantation and reports directly from the Deaf community and adult implantees have all contributed to my feeling regarding CI.

Do you ever wish you were hearing?
Click to expand...


I know personally that my son has not wished to be hearing.
 
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How old were you when you became considered deaf?

7 months old

What type of schooling did you have?

Mainstreaming/oral



Why do you think many hearing people view being deaf as a disability?Because they see our ears as being "broken" therefore we are disabled.


Why do you think there is such a different attitude about the definition of “disability” from hearing to deaf people?
Because hearing people never had to constantly fight for their "hearing" rights so they dont understand what it is like to fight for equal access to communication, information, and language.

Do you think sign language should be used with handicapped people? Why or why not?

It depends on what you consider "handicapped"
For what reasons do you think the deaf community and culture is so different from the hearing community?

Deaf people are used to being isolated, oppressed, and using their eyes to communicate while hearing people arent hence the differences.


What are specific differences you find from hearing culture to deaf culture?

In deaf culture, equal access to language, communication, and information is very very very valued, ASL is our language, race usually isnt as much as a factor as it is in the hearing world, and Deaf schools/events.


Do you think that hearing people would be better off learning sign language?

Oh yes.



What do you believe would close the gap between the hearing and deaf? Stop treating us as we are not capable or as 2nd class citizens, trying to make us hearing, and be willling to meet halfway as far as communication goes.


How do you feel about cochlear implants? What has shaped your opinion on this?
I dont care for them. If one wants to get them, fine. What I despite are the views that are usually associated with them by the medical community...that without a CI, a deaf person isnt as capable.
Do you ever wish you were hearing?
Nope.
 
How old were you when you became considered deaf?
Birth

What type of schooling did you have?
All sorts, mainly at an ASL based deaf institute.

Why do you think many hearing people view being deaf as a disability?
It's their perspective that we're at a loss, not equals physically.

Why do you think there is such a different attitude about the definition of “disability” from hearing to deaf people?
What can't we do that they can? We've lived with it, we know how to adapt. Chances that the "normal" ones aren't capable of adaption.

Do you think sign language should be used with handicapped people? Why or why not?
Why not? Are there any reasons for them not to? Same goes for many other languages. Just take a look at Europe. Language did not collapse Europe.

For what reasons do you think the deaf community and culture is so different from the hearing community?
One word; Collectivism.

What are specific differences you find from hearing culture to deaf culture?
We're more touchy feely. :cool2: We're more straightforward. Many more features.

Do you think that hearing people would be better off learning sign language?
Yep. It's a visual language, something the hearing people don't have. Why do you think hearing people gesture while on phones?

What do you believe would close the gap between the hearing and deaf?
Reframing the definition of Deaf. Media.

How do you feel about cochlear implants? What has shaped your opinion on this?
meh.

Do you ever wish you were hearing?
not even once. I'm thankful I am Deaf. I know I would be in much more trouble if I could speak.
 
It might be interesting to read.

Implanted Advanced Bionics-Harmony activated Aug/07
 
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How old were you when you became considered deaf?
7

What type of schooling did you have?
Mainstream

Why do you think many hearing people view being deaf as a disability?
"If it doesn't work, then it's a disability". That's what I was told my a person from Social Security

Why do you think there is such a different attitude about the definition of “disability” from hearing to deaf people?
Most hearing people don't see a problem with the term disability. The deaf don't like to be labled as disabled as it can sometimes mean limiting or limited.

Do you think sign language should be used with handicapped people? Why or why not?
Sign language should be available to all people with any degree of a hearing loss. Not all "handicapped" people. It is a good mode of communication.

For what reasons do you think the deaf community and culture is so different from the hearing community?
Different needs and opinions.

What are specific differences you find from hearing culture to deaf culture?
The hearing have it so much easier as everything is set up for people with hearing. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing have it harder since it is a hearing world.

Do you think that hearing people would be better off learning sign language?
Yes, they would learn language and communication earlier in life and it would also enrich their lives.

What do you believe would close the gap between the hearing and deaf?
More awareness and acceptance.

How do you feel about cochlear implants? What has shaped your opinion on this?

They can be a good tool for some, but not for others. I would never think to have one myself ever. My opinion is based on a lot of reading I have done, both online and in the library.

Do you ever wish you were hearing?
I was hearing, then hard of hearing then deaf. I know what it's like to have some hearing and no, I would not go back if I could.
 
How old were you when you became considered deaf?

Birth

What type of schooling did you have?

Mainstream both elementary and high school

Why do you think many hearing people view being deaf as a disability?

Because they can not understand our deafness and think our ears are "broken" and they tried hard to make us learn to read lips and listen. Hogwash.

Why do you think there is such a different attitude about the definition of “disability” from hearing to deaf people?

I don't know. That sound like for late deafened people who went from hearing to being deaf. I don't understand that question. :dunno:

Do you think sign language should be used with handicapped people? Why or why not?

I don't like the word "handicapped". Yes, it is very important that we use visual ASL (American Sign Language) to communicate with Deaf people or anyone who are interest in sign language.

For what reasons do you think the deaf community and culture is so different from the hearing community?

I am more comfortable communicating ASL in the Deaf community in the Deaf Culture where we have understanding of who we are and to enjoy being in the ASL environment. ASL Rocks. :rockon:

What are specific differences you find from hearing culture to deaf culture?

I would rather be in the Deaf Culture as it is a very trying time to understand the hearing perspective. I can not understand what the hearing people say. They would not allow a deaf person to work for them which is very discrimination. And also not be able to get the accommodations that I need like ASL interpreters and VRS or TTY.

Do you think that hearing people would be better off learning sign language?

No. Unless hearing people want to learn to sign and are interest in communicating with the Deaf people. Then go for it

What do you believe would close the gap between the hearing and deaf?

What gap? Most of the time hearing people will never stop at hounding me or other deaf people to get CIs or trying to pressure us to learn their way instead of our way. They think that hearing is the best way. So it is not going to close gap.

How do you feel about cochlear implants? What has shaped your opinion on this?

It is just surgery and I think it is up to the individual who are close to teenager than having to start at babies. Babies are precious and should not have surgery at a very young age. Any deaf individual can understand what the CI is all about and want to have CI. Then they can make the decision to have one.

Do you ever wish you were hearing?

No. I am more comfortable being deaf. I was born with it and still remain to be deaf. There will never be a cure for me to hear. I am happy being Deaf. Deaf :rockon:
 
How old were you when you became considered deaf?
I was born deaf

What type of schooling did you have?
I went mainstreaming to public schools.

Do you think sign language should be used with handicapped people? Why or why not?
It depends on the individual.

Do you think that hearing people would be better off learning sign language?
As long it's voluntary and not enforced. Besides not all deaf people wants or needs to be signed to. Some may also even feel stereotyped when being signed to.

What do you believe would close the gap between the hearing and deaf?
More progress in the science and technology field to enable the deaf to hear better. It's also a question of making more realistic observations that the majority of the hearing simply have their own problems, needs and wants. Just like the way most of the deaf are simply caught up with their own lives to do more for those with other disabilities or some of the physically challenged.

Such that I don't expect the majority of the hearing to do a "Time out" do whatever is going on their lives and go "Poor you, you're deaf, let me help you...". I rather take care of my end and focus on improving my own communication skills. To each his or her own.

How do you feel about cochlear implants? What has shaped your opinion on this?
It depends on the individual and family if they'd like to take the cochlear implant route. However, I could speak for myself, that personally I'm glad I got one. That not only has it enhanced my hearing, but I've also been told by some that my communication skills has improved since I had the CI. Although I tend to constructively say "There's still room for improvement". I've also gone for audio verbal therapy lessons which has helped and also do some listening exercises at home.

However, keep in mind that cochlear implants doesn't also necessarily have to be the end all solution for better hearing among the deaf. There's also advanced hearing aids, hair cell regeneration, stem cells research and gene therapy. Just to mention some examples.

And sincerely do hope that those that took the CI route will still be able to benefit from such related research in their implanted ear in the future. Which is why I kind of compromised, getting a CI in one ear to improve my communication skills and leaving the door open in the other for the future.

Do you ever wish you were hearing?
Well, there were times I did kind of feel that having better hearing would have not only made certain aspects of my life easier, but also my family's. Just to be honest.
 
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