I want to make more deaf aware and break the barrier. I wanted people to understand about the deafness and experiences. How do deaf people communicate with hearing people.
Let me tell you about my experiences. Back in high school, I had good friends (hearing and some deaf) and sometimes we had a different group to hang out at break and lunchtimes. When my friends were chatting, sometimes I understood. But I was pretending to understand what they were talking or I was looking around as I was bored. To be honest, it was hard to hear them at the same time and especially lip reading too if I could see their face. I felt kind of left out.
At college, I considered whether to tell new people about my deafness or not. I met new friends and it was nice. I met my deaf friend who studied the same course and we had chat about whatever we talked. It was comfortable and fun. I didn't sign language, just a bit. When she signed to communicate, I understood her and I was speaking and sometimes little a bit sign language, she can read my lips. I would like to learn sign language. In the second year, I met my friend (hearing) in a different course that we studied together and I didn't know what to start with the conversation. I discovered that we had the same thing in common and we then talked more straight away as we were happy. She knew that I am deaf because I have an interpreter and I think I told her as well. She knows that she made sure that I understand in case I don't get it.
At the church, I mostly sat next to my family. I was kind of stand back whenever the conversation comes. But sometimes I spoke to people for just a short time and trying to read lip and listening at the same time. Of course, I had a chat with my friend (hearing) which was comfortable. With my family, I felt more comfortable because sometimes my one or two family members would tell me what they said.
Lastly, about the cinema, tv and film. Let's start with the cinema. I remember that my family and I were discussing what film we wanted to see in the cinema. My sister told me they had a subtitle and I was happy with it. We went there. After a few months, before we went to see the film and my sister told me that there was no subtitle. I quoted that she said "Sorry, there is no subtitle. Are you okay with that?" I knew that she felt bad but I understand that. When she told me there was no subtitle, I was kind of disappointed. I always told my family it was fine with it and I would try to listen with my processor (cochlear implant). On the TV or film, I always left subtitle on whenever I watch. But the problem, sometimes, that I wanted to watch or my family watched- it didn't have a subtitle. I tried my best to listen but I knew short words, one or three words I heard.
Some deaf people are born into hearing families and some into deaf families. Some deaf people have either a cochlear implant or a hearing aid. Some deaf people don't have those. They also can read lips.
Deaf people have difficulty listening and may need to read lips if they are able to see the speaker's face. This can happen in a one to one setting as well as while chatting in a group.
They still may need to use their eyes to read lips and gain understanding from gestures and facial clues. Hearing people think deaf people cannot do anything. For example, they think that deaf people can’t and aren’t allowed to drive. Deaf people’s eyes do the work of two senses. Deaf people are more visually aware of their surroundings, as this is how they stay safe.
There are two different sizes of letters of Deaf meanings. Deaf with a capital D relates to the deaf community, usually people who are deaf and use BSL as their main language. Deaf are deaf peoples’ identity. Generally, these people do not wear hearing aids or cochlear implants, whereas deaf with a small “d” refers to hearing-impaired people who can communicate orally wearing hearing aids and cochlear implants. Deaf (with a small’) is the medical condition.
The environmental noises deaf people have a situation that they cannot hear which are doorbell and fire alarms. How would they know something is up. They cannot speak on the telephone because it would be difficult.
The television and film, some of them do have subtitle that deaf people can read and some of them have an interpreter. But some of them on TV or film does not have a subtitle and especially the cinema too, deaf people may be disappointed and wouldn't know what's happening. Imagine if deaf people meet their friends who are hearing in the cinema and watch and at the end of the film, they would discuss the film. How would deaf people know what's it about or understand? In a group with friends or classmate, it would be very difficult because deaf people would feel they left out. They couldn't read hearing people's lips at the same time or couldn't see their faces. Same with the drive-thru.
I heard that deaf people understand about 40%.
I hope hearing people understand deaf people's situation and respect. Don't say 'never mind', 'don't worry' or 'I'll tell you later' to deaf people. Make sure to get them involve. Hope that deaf people don't leave out in meetings with friends, workers and classmates. I wish the cinemas, tv and films over the UK, USA and wherever they should have more subtitles. Try to communicate with deaf people as long as they don't feel left out. Use paper, phone or gestures or any way you can communicate. Lastly, try not to ignore deaf people when it come to something difficult.