Question Seven: "Deaf" or "Hearing Impaired?"

Barbara from Lake Ronkonkoma would like to know - What is the proper way to refer to a person who can't hear? Is it "hearing impaired" or "deaf"?

Kerry's Answer: Thank you for this question. Very few people even address that there is a difference, and there are actually four different terms that are used in related to deafness! I will answer your question and also go further in addressing these four terms.

First, I will outline the four terms so it will be easier to see and understand the answer to your question.

Deaf - Note that the "D" is capitalized. People who identify themselves as Deaf (sometimes referred to as "Big D" or Culturally Deaf) are a big part of the Deaf community and culture. They are strong users of American Sign Language (ASL), and most often do not speak or lip read, even if they have the ability. Deaf people most often do not wear hearing aids or cochlear implants. Deaf people prefer to hang out with other Deaf people or with hearing signers who are fluent in ASL.

deaf - Note that the "d" is lower case. Those who identify themselves as deaf (also referred to as "little d" deaf) believe deafness is simply the physical inability to hear sounds. These deaf people may speak and lip read to communicate, and they may wear hearing aids. They often do not use ASL, but if they use sign they may use a signing system rather than ASL, such as Signed Exact English (S.E.E.). They prefer to socialize with speaking hearing people rather than Deaf people.

Hard of Hearing - Hard of hearing people possess some type of hearing loss. This hearing loss may be due to illness, old age, loss of hearing in one ear, slow debilitation of hearing, or fluid in the ears. They often speak and do not use any signing system or ASL. They may use hearing aids depending on their severity of hearing loss. They prefer to hang out with other speaking hearing people.

Hearing Impaired - The term “hearing impaired” is hearing people's “nice way” of saying the word “deaf.” Hearing people created this term to sort of tip-toe or dance around calling someone deaf, which Deaf people find unnecessary. Deaf people do NOT like this term. Using the term “hearing impaired” makes Deaf people feel there is an implied “brokenness” about them, something that is wrong with them. In reality, Deaf people do not want pity and do not feel they need to be “fixed.” They are happy with their deafness, proud to be Deaf, and love their culture and community.

Now that the four terms have been described, it is easy to see the answer to your question. Deaf people would much rather be called "Deaf" than anything else, especially "hearing impaired." As stated above, "hearing impaired" was created by hearing people and implies that there is something wrong or "broken" with deaf people and that they need to be "fixed." Deaf people find it pointless to use any word other than what they are: Deaf!

Also, please note, that these terms and tendencies are for the majority of people who identify themselves as these terms. There are always exceptions, like Amanda, who is hard of hearing AND uses ASL!

Thank you for your question!

Question Six: ASL

Michael asked: I am wondering how many other types of sign language there are. Are they similar? If you know ASL can you learn another type quickly? Also, about how many signs are there? Are there signs for punctuation? Like a question mark for example.

Sarah’s Answer: Thank you for your questions! I divided them into three parts to more efficiently answer them.

How many other types of sign language there are? Are they similar? If you know ASL can you learn another type quickly?

I suppose that depends on how you want to define “type.” Sign languages, just like verbal languages, have been developing organically around the world for centuries, fulfilling the human need to communicate. So just as it is difficult to count the amount of spoken languages in the world, the same is true with sign languages. Furthermore, it would be hard to find characteristics that exist within ALL international sign languages, though a few elements likely crossover such as classifiers and facial expressions. However, sign languages around the world are just as diverse as verbal languages are!

Also, there are a few different “types” of sign languages in America. American Sign Language (ASL) is often mistaken to be a signed version of English. The reality is that ASL is a language all on its own, with distinct grammar and syntax, and very different from signed English. Also, there is tactile signing used among the deaf-blind population, and various types of signing techniques, such as method signing and pidgin English signing. In general, most of these types of signing are similar only in that they are signed and use some ASL vocabulary, but ASL is the only form that is itself a language.

As for learning other sign languages, I have often heard people say that after learning a verbal language it became easier for them to learn more. A friend of mine said the same thing about learning multiple sign languages: learning her second sign language was easier then learning her first, but she was still acquiring a whole new language which isn’t easy! Overall, the speed and ease of learning multiple languages largely depends on the individual.

How many signs are there?

Another good question! The short answer? There is no exact count for the number of signs in American Sign Language.

In ASL, there are many regional signs (think “couch” and “sofa” in English) and local signs (do you know what a “fudgie” is? You would if you were from Northern Michigan!), as well as dialects (such as Black American Sign Language which developed due to school segregation in southern states). Furthermore, one sign can have dozens of meanings, and most common signs have at least five inflections. All these variables make an exact count virtually impossible. However, I have heard that there are about 25,000 sign variations, depending on grammar and context. I had a tricky time finding a source to back that information up, but was able to find that number referenced on aslpah.com (an online journal for ASL students and teachers). Interestingly enough, I learned that there is also not an exact count for the number of words in the English language (AskOxford). That’s just the intricate and complex nature of languages for you!

Are there signs for punctuation? Like a question mark for example.

American sign language sentences are generally punctuated with pauses and facial expressions. While asking a question in ASL, the signer will most commonly raise his/her eyebrows and tilt their chin down. I have also seen signers repeat their question “word” (such as “where, bookstore, where”) or suspend their last sign to indicate the end of their question. Also, there is a sign for a question mark (you can see me signing that below!) but it is not used all that often.

Thank you so much for your great questions!!

Interview with Dr. Russell Rosen

We asked our advisor for a few reasons why Deaf culture is an importance element to teaching ASL. Check out what he said!

Please note: video is not yet professionally interpreted.

Question Five: Driving

Carla wants to know: Is it safe for a deaf person to drive a car on today's busy roads?

Kerry's Answer: It is a common misconception that because a person cannot hear, they cannot drive a car. That is absolutely not true! While a deaf person does not hear horns honking or tires screeching, driving is an activity which requires much more visual sense than auditory. Deaf people are quite aware of their surroundings, and since deaf signers use a visual language to communicate, they are accustomed to their heightened visual sense. It is in fact perfectly safe for a deaf person to drive! Deaf people are neither better nor worse drivers than hearing people -- bad drivers come from all walks of life!

Thanks for your question!

Just for fun, below is a video of ASL comedian Keith Wann's experience with his deaf parents driving. Enjoy! =)

Question from A Follower

Question from Naadu: Can you tell me if services for the hearing impaired have changed much with the advent of internet and wireless technology? Also, are there innovations in the works?

Answered by Amanda: Very Good Question. Yes, the services have changed for the better due to internet and technology. Usually, the deaf were only offered interpreting services, however there is a good amount of other technologies now available.

Lets start off with CART; Communication Access Realtime Translation. With this service, a CART transcriber agent would use a stenograph keyboard, connected to a regular computer, and type out word for word what is being spoken. The exact word-for-word transcription would be displayed on the computer screen in front of the deaf person. This method is similar to what they use in court rooms to keep a log of conversations for the record. You have two different options with this feature; 1) the deaf person could request the agent sit in with them wherever they needed services. The agent would be seated right next to them in the room. This option would give the deaf person the ability to type his/her own question onto the regular computer so that the CART agent may speak it aloud to the room. 2) this option would allow the deaf person to hook their own computer up to an internet server connected with a CART agency. A high frequency microphone would capture everything being said within the room so it may be transmitted via internet to a CART agent. The CART agent would not be in the same room for this option, the word-for-word transcription would still be available on the computer screen in a matter of seconds.

Another service similar to this would be TypeWell. This service is the same concept. A stenograph keyboard would be hooked up to the computer so that a TypeWell agent may transmit what is being said onto a computer screen. The same 2 options are available here; in room services, or via internet services. However, it differs by one major factor. Instead of having a word-for-word speech to text dialogue, TypeWell is a speech-to-text communication access system, that expresses the meaning of what is spoken, but in fewer words. The TypeWell transcriber listens to speakers and types a richly-detailed summary of what was said.

As far as 'disability services', those are the two major ones used for educational and professional settings. As for communication services that have been made possible due to internet and wireless technology, please view the post below this one relating to Communication Devices for the deaf.

I have included links to some popular websites that provide information about these two methods.

Hope this Helps!

CART Link

TypeWell Link

Pictures of TTY and Relay Service

Hey All...

Here are the pictures! Enjoy!

Question from A Follower

Question: Mike Rodriguez wants to know "How does someone who is hearing impaired communicate when they’d like to make or receive a phone call?"

Amanda's Answer: This is a very good question Mike. First, lets start off by remembering back when telephones were first invented by Alexander Graham Bell. The telephone was originally invented as a device in hopes to allow deaf people to hear. The telephone failed to work for this purpose, thus, Graham Bell proposed it should be used for hearing people to communicate over long distances.

Back before the technological boom, Deaf people would be unable to communicate by any means other than the usual snail mail letters, or via personal contact. There really wasn't any technology for deaf communication over long distances. However, technological advances since the 90s has made it quite easy for deaf people to use the telephone.

First, lets examine the TTY. TTY stands for TeleTypewriter. I have provided a picture to show you what it looks like. This device would allow you to dial the telephone number of the deaf party you are trying to reach, just like any ordinary phone. When a call is received, lights on top of the device, and other areas in the house, will flash (instead of a ring tone) to notify there is an incoming call. Instead of speaking into this device, one would type what they wanted to convey (kind of like a computer or typewriter). The words would appear on a screen attached to the TTY.

Secondly, we have a Relay Service. You would use a relay service if a hearing person without a TTY was trying to contact a deaf person. To use a relay service, the hearing person would call up a special operator who has access to a TTY. That relay operator would then be able to type what the hearing person is saying to the deaf person, as well as speak the typed words of the deaf party to the hearing person.

Another way of communication would be VRS. Video Relay Service. This device is the same concept as above, with some differences. The VRS systems can be contacted and connected via a computer or TV. This method is sort of like a webcam. The Relay Operator would sign to the deaf person whatever the hearing person is speaking; as well as speak to the hearing person whatever the deaf person is signing. We have posted a video to show you what this service may look like. Look out for the two famous comedians in this video; Keith Wann and Peter Cook.

Of course, with technology such as a Webcam, E-mail, Text Messaging, BlackBerry Messaging, Skype, and other devices of the like, you can see it has become just as easy for a deaf person to communicate over long distances as it is for a hearing person!

I hope this information is helpful. Please enjoy the Video and Pictures!