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Deaf FAQ

If a person is deaf they have a disorder which affects their ability to hear. Deafness is the partial or complete inability in regards to hearing. People who have deafness view the world differently than those who can hear as they have to communicate in different ways. The following provides insights to questions frequently asked about deafness. There are also links provided for resources to learn more about deafness.

Is deafness genetic?

There is a lot of hearing loss that can be traced back to genetics. There have been some genes which have already been identified as causes of deafness, and research is continuing to identify more genes related to deafness. There are causes of deafness however that are not genetic as well.

Can someone develop deafness late?

Yes. Late deafness occurs after a person learned a language and they are no longer considered a child. This is common and can happen for various reasons which range from sudden deafness to deafness that cannot be explained.

What does closed captioned for the hearing impaired mean?

Often times the words “closed captioned for the hearing impaired” are said or heard via a web video, television show, regular video, or a movie. Captioning allows for the deaf or those people who are hard of hearing to know what is being said with words being placed on the medium. Closed captioning is one of two captioning types. The other type of captioning is open caption.

What does the acronym CART mean?

CART stands for “Communication Access Real-Rime Translation” and it is something like captioning. It provides the deaf community with written words to accompany a spoken speech. CART benefits those who are hard of hearing and deaf who cannot use an interpreter.

Are there any forums or discussion boards for the deaf community?

Yes. There are forums and discussion boards available online for the deaf community. These are places where you can connect with others, share experiences, and discuss anything related to deafness. To find a deaf community forum simply perform an online search and join the one or various forums that interest you.

Are there any famous deaf people?

Anyone can be famous, including deaf people. Famous deaf people include: Marlee Matlin, Anthony Natale, Amy Ecklund, and Deanne Bray, to name a few.

Are there any words viewed as negative by the deaf culture?

At some point we have all heard the saying “sticks and stones.” We also have learned that words can and do hurt sometimes. In deaf culture there are words that can be harmful if used because they create a negative impression in the mind of the reader. Words viewed as being negative by the deaf culture include: dummy, deaf-dumb, deaf-mute, and handicapped to name a few. When communicating with the deaf culture, just as with any human being, think before you speak.

Can a parent provide deaf education for their child at home?

Yes. With the proper resources a parent can provide deaf education at home for their child. In fact, many parents of deaf children choose at home deaf education rather than traditional deaf education.

The following links provide resources and more information on hearing related issues: