Chapter 49 – How do people become deaf?
Before I read the chapter, I thought either they were born
deaf from some problem in development or maybe the mom had been exposed to
something. If they went deaf, I thought there had been an accident or as I was
always warned…the music or noise was too loud. I wasn’t wrong, but there was
more to it.
The term congenitally deaf is when someone is born deaf and
for going deaf it is called adventitiously deaf – strange name. Guess when out
being adventitious you did something stupid and hurt your ear? Then there were
subdivisions to the last term depending on the age.
More males are deaf and more ”late-deafened elderly women
than men”. I was correct in the thought that before birth a mom could be
exposed to a virus like rubella and that could cause deafness. Didn’t know
there were 3 other viruses that could do the same thing. There were several
syndromes mentioned that could also cause deafness as well as the possibility
of deafness due to “the hardware of the middle ear” or ear issues such as wax
build up or fluid in middle ear. I had extreme fluid problems as a child. I got
tubes in my ears on my first birthday. I could not walk until 16 months,
because the fluid was so much so, I had no balance. I didn’t have any ear or
hearing problems after that, and I could walk!
My thought of adventitious was pretty good as “adventitious
deafness can be caused by accidents” and “gradual hearing loss can result from
repeated exposure to very loud noise”.
Not all deafness can have a known cause. Almost half of
deafness is termed “of unknown etiology”. I understand that, but I would want
to know how and why I was deaf. I pretty much know how I got the Celiac; guess
I am lucky to know that.
Chapter 50 – Is deafness “bad karma”?
The definition of karma basically says “what you do in this
life will have an effect on your next life”. When people say “that’s karma for
you” it is referring to someone who had something bad happened due to doing
something bad…like being punished. So in this chapter, they are saying that a
person is deaf because in a former life they did something bad and are being
punished!! Who would even think that????
Apparently in different times “the few deaf persons
mentioned in the gospels are described as possessed by an evil spirit” and
“deaf people were considered not fully human”. They were considered “outcasts”
and not allowed to marry. In the US, long ago, there was “belief that God
punishes parents through their children. Some people believe that children are
born disabled because their parents did something wrong”. Glad I didn’t live
long ago. I know they didn’t know…but what gets me….is I am sure there are
people in 2013 that still believe these crazy ideas.
I did like the positive karma idea. “According to the positive
interpretation, a soul chooses to be born as a deaf person as a challenge or
learning experience”. It goes on to state that it “progress to a higher level
of spiritual understanding”. Makes me think of the saying “what doesn’t kill
you makes you stronger”.
Chapter 51 – What other categories are there in Deaf
community? (Deaf and hard-of-hearing)
In the Deaf community there are the “culturally Deaf” – ASL
users and oral communication, with or without hearing aids. There is also many
hearing people – parents, children of, spouses of, teachers, co-workers, and
professionals just to name a few.
Turns out the books lists 13 categories in the Deaf
community. I was pretty overwhelmed. The categories range from how there is
communication, when the person went deaf, and what the relation is to the Deaf
person.
I was wondering why all the categories, because the needs
are “whatever “category” each member can be placed in, are clear enough:
unrestricted communication and unrestricted access to everything hearing people
benefit from and take for granted”. So when The Americans with Disabilities Act
was created, it “prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public
accommodations, transportation, etc.” Pretty sad that for someone in the Deaf
community has to be put in some category so they won’t be discriminated
against…that is how I took it.
Chapter 52 – What’s the difference between “hard of hearing”
and “deaf”?
I first wondered why a chapter would be written on this
difference. Hard of hearing seems to me to be that you don’t hear everything or
that you may struggle to hear something. Deaf is you can’t hear anything at
all. But it seems that this is not so cut and dry!
I was pretty correct if you think of the definition of each
but the difference is in what someone considers themselves to be. “A number of
people who are audiologically deaf identify themselves as “hard-of-hearing” or
“hearing-impaired”. Conversely, some audiologically hard-of-hearing people
identify themselves as “deaf”. Some people who have lost hearing late in life
may call themselves deaf or hard-of-hearing since they are “caught between both
hearing and deaf communities – wanting to remain in the hearing community, but
having difficulty coping with hearing loss”.
Many who consider themselves HOH look down on the Deaf. Some
ASL users look down on the HOH “or anyone who thinks and acts too “hearing”.
Surprised that they in a sense they almost seem to turn on each other. Attitude
seems to have much to do with what they would call themselves.
Apparently, the HOH have a tough time deciding. Do they
consider themselves deaf who can hear a little, hearing with some loss, or try
to pass as hearing. I can see how this could be a struggle to someone. I like
the end in which Clyde Smith said, “as far as he’s concerned everybody with
hearing loss is deaf – there are only degrees of deafness”.
Chapter 53 – Are hard-of-hearing people part of the Deaf
community?
The opening sentence was interesting, “Do they want to be”?
I would say of course. Then to read on ….”They can be part of the Deaf
community if they want to be. But does the Deaf community want them?” Why
wouldn’t they is my thought. It comes back to the fact that it is not just an
“audiological situation, it’s a state of mind, an attitude, and, in some cases,
a psychological defense”.
Some HOH kids in schools for the deaf consider themselves
better than the profoundly deaf. They can hear some, so that makes them better
than the deaf. HOH people can be a help to the Deaf community or they can be an
enemy. They can make a choice to join the community or ignore it. They have a
choice, which the Deaf do not. Should the HOH have to learn ASL…it should be a
choice as well.
I was pretty surprised with what I read here. I just assumed
that the HOH would be considered to be in the Deaf community. I had no idea
that some felt they were better than the Deaf because they could hear some. Or
that the Deaf would be in a sense jealous that someone could hear a little and
turn on them. I guess I can now see how this could draw a line between the two,
but again it surprises me. I figured that anyone who had some level of
“deafness” would be accepted to anyone else who had a level of “deafness”. I
guess all the rejections of the hearing have helped this attitude along, and
this is quite sad.
Chapter 54 – What are some of the biggest problems faced by
late-deafened people?
The first obvious answer is, where in their mind do they now
belong. I would also guess another problem is admitting they can’t hear well
anymore. They would probably be wondering how this could affect all aspects of
their life, from personal to professional.
I was right!
Depending on if the loss was sudden or progressive and after
18…there will be a more difficult adjustment. The younger someone is, the less
difficult and easier to cope rather than someone in a career, marriage, with
children, and “stable pattern of life”.
What world are they entering, Deaf or HOH? Things the
hearing take for granted will now be a struggle, talking on phone, music,
chatting, children, grandchildren, jokes, job conversations, and family
interactions are now not the same. “The foundation of their very sanity is
shaken”.
Relationships can and in many cases are broken; Workers have
lost their jobs. It is no surprise that depression can set in and even thoughts
of suicide can come in. Then you have the well-intentioned family and friends
who say something that they feel with make it easier, and all it does is make
it worse.
You add the attitude that the Deaf community may have in
that they now have even the Deaf be unaccepting. The best place to get
understanding and help is from someone is the same situation. Using the
Internet may be a good place to find others like themselves to just share
feeling.
This chapter I could relate to. I was only 2 when diagnosed
with Celiac. I know that the others like me try to find food that tastes like
what they can no longer have. I guess I was lucky in that I had never really
tried a lot. I don’t have to find bread that tastes like Bunny Bread, or pasta
that takes like Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. What I eat now….all I can remember.
I have a good friend who was recently diagnosed and is trying all kinds of GF food to find good tasting things. So if
you have hearing loss early, it is easier to adjust to life as it will be, just
as my diagnosis at an early age has made having Celiac not a big adjustment.
Chapter 55 – “What is Deaf Culture? Has anyone studied it
from a sociological perspective?”
The definition is: “a social, communal, and creative force
of, by, and for Deaf people based on American Sign Language. It encompasses
communication, social protocol, art, entertainment, recreation and worship.” It
also states that it is “an attitude” which has been stated many time this blog.
“If you are not one of us, you don’t belong”.
It is a fact that people who are deaf want to seed out other
deaf and converse in ASL. This is seen in many countries, but the US “has the
most sophisticated and creative – and public Deaf culture of any”. The Deaf,
who attended schools for the deaf, have a certain attitude and way of
interacting with one another. The one thing they consider as a social
experience in which everyone can participate is sports. Sports like volleyball,
softball, bowling, and basketball are a way the Deaf can kinetically express a
belonging.
There was a time in which there were Deaf Clubs. A place
where they could go and watch movies, relax, and enjoy the company of other
Deaf. These were needed since Deaf people were excluded from radio and movies,
and was a way to learn what was going on in the world. In this way the Deaf
culture seems to be an attitude in which the Deaf get together with one another
and in a sense all belong. There is no need to prove anything to anyone, to
just be with someone like them.
Some Deaf don’t think there is a Deaf culture like what is
seen in Blacks, Jews, and other ethnic cultures. My guess is in those cultures
there is a genetic link, there is a common religion, and there is sometimes a
cultural dress, which is not the case of a Deaf culture. I can see how on one
hand some think there is a culture but when compared to other “cultures” I
don’t think of it as a culture. This is why “titles” can be a problem. Why do
we have to call it any thing other that people hanging out since they have
something in common. I don’t belong to a Celiac Disease culture.
Then you come to the decision as who would be in the Deaf
culture. Deaf only, HOH, parents of Deaf, children of Deaf and the list goes
on. So the idea of a Deaf culture once again gets confusing.
Should a hearing person write about Deaf Culture?
My first reaction is why not? Then I think back to some of
the crazy things I have read so far in this book and the crazy attitudes people
have towards the Deaf and I think twice. If they are writing the truth, then
why not. As the book says, “To get a full picture, we want to balance the
outsiders’ view with what insiders have to say.” To me, that would be the only
way to do it correctly. Example, how could a person who doesn’t have a problem
with alcohol write a book about having a dependency on alcohol? You need the
view of someone on the inside, some one with the problem. This is how ideas get
all messed up.
Fortunately researchers of the Deaf today seem to have a
much better attitude towards the Deaf as well as a much better understanding of
being Deaf. Another thing that has helped the writings of Deaf is the fact that
more Deaf people are much more involved in the writings since they have done
research and have published articles and books. I think back to the early
chapters in which it said some Deaf people have trouble reading and writing
since they can’t sound out words. Some I guess few Deaf people wrote, and now
things are changing.
The best way to change attitudes towards the Deaf and have
the hearing understand the life of a Deaf person is to do the writing
themselves. If they can do the writing, at least be involved with the hearing
person doing the writing. Get more involved. This will help the attitudes.
Chapter 57 “How did Bell almost succeed in wiping out Deaf
Culture?”
Say What???? Apparently in the 1800s when American School
for the Deaf opened, deaf education was beginning. ASL was being used, other
schools were opening for the deaf in this country, Deaf clubs opened, and there
was an interest in a Deaf college, then came along Alexander Graham Bell! He
was rich and powerful and he believed that Deaf people need to learn to speak
and be in the hearing society. “Bell believed that deafness was a terrible
curse..a pathological aberration that perpetuated negative genetic traits…that
deaf persons weakened the society in which they lived”. What a horrible man!
He basically wanted to stop deaf people from even being
born! In order to do this, he came up with three (stupid) “preventative
measures”. His plan was “eliminating residential schools, forbidding the use of
sign language in the education of deaf pupils, and prohibiting deaf adults from
being teachers of deaf children.” It almost happened. By 1919 80% of
residential schools had “gone oral” and 0ther 20% used combined method. Deaf
teachers were forced out of teaching, and oral and signing students were
separated. If you were caught signing you were punished. SAY WHAT???? The worst
of all was forcing deaf children to talk, no sign language, leaving them with
no language at all!
Fortunately this craziness did not last long and today ASL
is totally accepted.
I just find this hard to believe someone who isn’t deaf
thinks he knows what is best for someone that is. And to force someone to do
something that is impossible is nuts. He probably forced people in wheelchairs
to get up and walk!!!
Chapter 58 Isn’t deafness a disability? If it is, why do
deaf people consider it a culture?
Yes, being deaf is a disability…”a handicap”. A culture
“includes language, literature, art, folklore, religion, distinctive cuisines,
modes of dress, and social customs.” ASL- Deaf people have all of the above but
the dress, cuisines, and religion.
It seems that the Deaf culture has the language, literature,
art, folklore, and social customs. This is what draws them to each other, they
have being deaf in common, so why not be together, be in the company of people
they can communicate with and be comfortable with?
I was not aware there are apartment buildings designed for
someone who is Deaf much less retirement communities. What a great idea.
Most minorities want to be mainstreamed and included in
everything. This would not be a good fit for all Deaf. Instead of helping, it
could lead to more problems, especially more isolation from everyone.
I think my favorite line is, “our experiences with
discrimination and prejudice, and the necessity of getting our society to
improve its damned attitudes”. This seems to be the center of many problems for
the Deaf. Everybody things they know what is best and make blanket statements
and solutions for Deaf people. What is wrong with a Deaf person wanting to live
in around other Deaf people and what is so wrong with ASL if that is the way
you would like to communicate? Thought this was “the land of the free”?
Chapter 59 The Deaf community has been compared to a “ghetto
that is disintegrating.” Do you agree?
I am not really clear how the term “ghetto” has come in to
this topic. In my mind a “ghetto” is not a positive term.
I guess there is still conversation concerning Deaf people
choosing to life with and around other Deaf people. The book talks about the
Jewish culture, which to me, seems like it is not critized. Yet there seems to be
some problem with the Deaf having their own culture. “Deaf people like to
associate with each other, to be in situations where they can communicate
freely”, who wouldn’t? To Deaf people, ASL is “a beautiful language crated and
refined by Deaf people”. I like doing ASL and I enjoy watching others do it.
Even though I can do ASL to a degree, it still amazes me how others can do it.
There will always be Deaf people. No one can stop deafness
either present at birth or later in life. So why not sit back and let them do
what they need to do to have the best life possible. If they want to use ASL,
fine. If they want an implant and can afford it, fine. If they want a hearing
aide or to be oral, fine. Who are we to determine what anyone should do? Then
to refer to the Deaf culture as a form of ghetto???? What is ghetto is once
again the attitude. That is what needs to “disintegrate”!
Many chapters in this book I found interesting and learned
from. These chapters just left me angry. I don’t understand how in this day and
age there is still so much attitude towards Deaf people. How people think they
have the knowledge must less the right to condemn the way Deaf people want to
live and how they want to communicate. I would expect this attitude in other
countries…but not here.
It bothered me how the Deaf and HOH can be cruel to each
other. To actually be snobby to each other….the have and have nots. Like I
said, I didn’t really care for these chapters in that I was left surprised with
how cruel people can be to one another. I do my best to not hurt someone’s
feelings with or without a disability, or if they do or do not agree with me.
Just how I was raised.
