Have a hearing loss? Deaf? Hard of hearing? Don't know sign? Have a hard time mingling with hearing people? Watch this video and figure out how another way of doing face to face communication can be done.
The answer is simple. Even Noah Buchholz knows the answer. But the bigger question is how willing will deaf or hearing people take the time to sit down and have a genuine face to face conversation? Or will people continue to reject others simply because they cannot hear well or do not know sign?
Learn to let go of the status quo.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Naturally Deaf?
Recently a phrase "naturally deaf" was brought up where it raised all kinds of questions concerning the expression behind it for deaf people who may use it as sign for "Deaf pride." I get it so don't get me wrong. It's about "acceptance" of oneself, acknowledgement of their deafness, yada yada yada.
Got it.
Yet, the culturally deaf crowd represents barely 2% of the 36 million people with hearing loss in the United States. It's all about personal choice to describe oneself.
But allow me to play the devil's advocate for a moment.
This phrase would make as much sense as saying "naturally blind" or "naturally mute," or, to play the outside of the rules of today's politically correct games, even "naturally mentally retarded" to many people. Their line of thinking would be to ask what's natural about it for those who cannot walk and must use wheelchairs, for example? Exactly what's "naturally" about it some might ask?
In the United States about 2 - 3 infants out of every 1,000 live births will have some degree of hearing loss at birth according to NIH. About 50% of the babies born are due to genetic factors where some 400 different genes are the root causes of deafness through a variety of genetic mutation. About 15% of those babies born have other conditions that accompanies their deafness or syndromatic (i.e. "multiple disabilities" such as deafness and cerebral palsy) while 25% of them are born only with a hearing loss as a result of a genetic change (non-syndromatic).
About 25% of cases of deafness are caused by non-genetic factors such as premature birth and illnesses while pregnant like Rubella (German measles), Cytomegalovirus infections, Toxoplasmosis, Herpes infection, and Syphilis.
And then you have non-genetic causes of deafness after birth such as head injuries, childhood infections (such as meningitis, measles or chickenpox), certain medications (such as the antibiotic streptomycin and related drugs), and even ear infections (otitis media) in rare cases causing permanent hearing loss.
And the rest of the remaining 25% of the cases of deafness in infants and children are unknown causes.
I might be belaboring this but I see using the phrase "naturally deaf" as an attempt to define oneself in a feel good way sort of thing. And that's fine. Others may choose a different way to express oneself. Not everybody see hearing loss in the same way as the next person. Of course, you don't hardly hear people with a blindness or a vision condition say "naturally blind" and have a forum with that name, too. I'd be just as wary joining a deaf forum under a similar moniker.
Naturally.
Got it.
Yet, the culturally deaf crowd represents barely 2% of the 36 million people with hearing loss in the United States. It's all about personal choice to describe oneself.
But allow me to play the devil's advocate for a moment.
This phrase would make as much sense as saying "naturally blind" or "naturally mute," or, to play the outside of the rules of today's politically correct games, even "naturally mentally retarded" to many people. Their line of thinking would be to ask what's natural about it for those who cannot walk and must use wheelchairs, for example? Exactly what's "naturally" about it some might ask?
In the United States about 2 - 3 infants out of every 1,000 live births will have some degree of hearing loss at birth according to NIH. About 50% of the babies born are due to genetic factors where some 400 different genes are the root causes of deafness through a variety of genetic mutation. About 15% of those babies born have other conditions that accompanies their deafness or syndromatic (i.e. "multiple disabilities" such as deafness and cerebral palsy) while 25% of them are born only with a hearing loss as a result of a genetic change (non-syndromatic).
About 25% of cases of deafness are caused by non-genetic factors such as premature birth and illnesses while pregnant like Rubella (German measles), Cytomegalovirus infections, Toxoplasmosis, Herpes infection, and Syphilis.
And then you have non-genetic causes of deafness after birth such as head injuries, childhood infections (such as meningitis, measles or chickenpox), certain medications (such as the antibiotic streptomycin and related drugs), and even ear infections (otitis media) in rare cases causing permanent hearing loss.
And the rest of the remaining 25% of the cases of deafness in infants and children are unknown causes.
I might be belaboring this but I see using the phrase "naturally deaf" as an attempt to define oneself in a feel good way sort of thing. And that's fine. Others may choose a different way to express oneself. Not everybody see hearing loss in the same way as the next person. Of course, you don't hardly hear people with a blindness or a vision condition say "naturally blind" and have a forum with that name, too. I'd be just as wary joining a deaf forum under a similar moniker.
Naturally.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
A journey starts with a single keystroke
This video of Noah Buchholz is part one of many of his series documenting his use of the UbiDuo face-to-face communication device at Princeton Theological Seminary. In his first interview he described how it has empowered him to communicate with hearing people at any time he wanted to. He provided some valuable insight on how it has helped him communicate with hearing people wherever he went. This led him to make new friends and made his education easier along the way. So, come on in, have a spell, and watch Noah Buchholz's journey, Part I.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
When communication matters....
Watch for it on February 22, 2012 when Noah Buchholz, a deaf Princeton University student, who dared to communicate on his own terms with his hearing peers and staff by using a popular communication technology that enabled him the empowerment he needed.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Hearing Loss Association of America Surpasses $1.2 Million Dollar Goal
Received an interesting email announcement from HLAA about their fund raising effort in 2011 through their Walk4Hearing fund raising events. It's amazing to see how much they've raised money in one year. Already into 2012 they've raised almost $70,000 which is about 5% of their $1.3 million dollar goal.
In their website they have a list of cities where this Walk4Hearing will take place. The last city on the list is Washington D.C. to take place on November 4. Take the time and go to one for a good cause. I've met all kinds of people there even those who are deaf and fluent in sign language.
Bethesda, MD: The Hearing Loss Association of America is pleased to announce its line-up of 2012 spring and fall Walks in 21 cities across the country. The Walk4Hearing experienced growth for the sixth straight year and surpassed its 2011 fundraising goal of $1.2 million.
Hearing loss is a leading public health concern with 36 million adults reporting some degree of hearing loss, yet most people go untreated. The Walk4Hearing increases awareness about hearing loss, minimizes the stigma associated with it, and raises funds to expand services and programs.
Mike Orscheln, president and CEO of Phonak, is the 2012 National Business Chair. Orscheln stated, “Two years as the Chicago Business Chair and last year taking on national responsibilities has given me an even stronger commitment to help this event become more successful. The dynamics that are occurring in our industry make the collaboration among industry, hearing health professionals and consumers more critical than ever. Let’s make 2012 the biggest and best year ever for the Walk4Hearing!”
National sponsors of the 2012 Walk4Hearing include: AARP, MED-EL, T-Mobile, Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Americas and Phonak.
Director of the Walk4Hearing, Ronnie Adler, commented that dedicated volunteers helped realize a 25% increase in the number of teams and walkers, making the Walk4Hearing the largest walk event for people with hearing loss. There was also an increase in the number of alliance groups which are participants from schools, hearing loss-related organizations, and others that share the proceeds.
Along with Ronnie Adler, Rebecca Lander serves as the National Walk4Hearing Coordinator. Suzanne D’Amico, a veteran of the New York City Walk, joins HLAA as the Northeast Region Coordinator, effective February 1, 2012.
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