News

5 Ways the Deaf Community Has Come a Long Way Since TTY Equipment

Tech advancements have made an impact on the everyday lives of many people—and the deaf and hard-of-hearing community is no exception. Advancements in telephones, hearing aids, FM systems, cochlear implants and other TTY technologies have undoubtedly made their marks on the population.

But what does this impact look like, and how has it affected relationships with the hearing community?

What Most Often Causes Hearing Loss in Children?

Hearing loss in children can vary, but some causes can be prevented with medical care. Middle and outer ear infections are the leading cause of hearing loss in children, with 75 percent of infants and children experiencing this type of infection by age three.

Learn more about ear infections and their implications below.

6 Influential Moments in Deaf Culture

The deaf and hard-of-hearing community has had numerous important individuals and milestones that have improved lives over time. These opportunities have helped shape what it’s like to be a deaf person worldwide.

Here are just a few of the influential moments in deaf culture that have made an impact on the community.

4 Common Causes of Sudden Hearing Loss

Not all hearing loss is brought on gradually through aging or other causes. Sometimes hearing loss can occur suddenly—and it’s not always immediately evident why. Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, only approximately 10-15 percent of sudden hearing loss is actually diagnosable.

Nevertheless, here are four common, identifiable causes.

How to Learn Sign Language: The Basics to Get You Started

Have you ever wanted to learn a second language? Starting can sometimes be the hardest part. When it comes to American Sign Language (ASL), all it takes is the right first steps to move toward an eventual total understanding.

Here are a few basic tactics to get you started on your road to ASL fluency.

“Bad Lip Reading” Videos and the Hard-of-Hearing Community

Whenever a new “Bad Lip Reading” video is released, viewers get a good laugh. It is entertaining to watch what the creators perceive the people in the videos to be saying because it is almost always wildly out of context of the actual video content.

It’s further proof that it’s easy to make mistakes when you lip-read. Here’s what the “Bad Lip Reading” videos say about the communication style.

4 Ways Assistive Technology is Changing in 2017

Assistive technology for hard-of-hearing individuals includes products that enhance a person’s hearing capabilities, utilized by those who have experienced hearing loss. There have been many recent developments in assistive technology through the years, including hearing aids, alarms, shakers and some brand-new tools.

Here are four directions assistive technology is headed in 2017.

Communicating on the Go: 5 Mobile Apps for the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing

Sometimes all the smart technology and screens can seem overwhelming and even distracting. However, technology has a lot of significant pros when it comes to helping the hard-of-hearing and deaf communities. Thanks to incredibly talented app developers, you can use mobile applications on your smartphone to help make conversations feel effortless.

Take a look at some of the hearing- and speech-assistance apps you can download today.

A History of Sign Language: Where It’s Been and What’s Coming

Many deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals primarily communicate through sign language. Sign language uses gestures, hand signs and fingerspelling instead of spoken words. Signs can represent single words or entire phrases. Like spoken languages, sign languages also contain grammatical rules, expressions, regional accents and dialects.

But how did it all begin? Let’s take a closer look.

7 Examples of Assistive Technology for the Hard-of-Hearing

Living with hearing loss doesn’t need to be frustrating—there are plenty of technology options to help overcome potential challenges posed by hearing loss.​
Let’s take a look at some of the technology used to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing.