News

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.

Understanding the Art of Lip Reading: 5 Things to Know

Read my lips! You may have heard that phrase when someone wants to hammer home a point, like a mother telling a child, “Read my lips. You're not having any more ice cream.”

While you usually might not think twice when hearing that phrase, for many hard-of-hearing people lip reading can be an invaluable communication skill.

Here are a few things you should understand about lip reading.

5 Common Mistakes Made When Communicating with the Hard of Hearing

Let’s say you’re about to have a conversation with a friend, loved one or even a stranger who has experienced hearing loss of some sort. What are you most apt to do? Do you increase your speaking volume? Do you make assumptions about your conversation partner?

Here are just a few of the most common mistakes people make when speaking with hard-of-hearing individuals.

6 Facts About Sign Language You Didn’t Know

Spoken languages are complex and can take years of practice and immersion to gain fluency. Sign languages, like spoken languages, have grammar rules, rhythms and differ from language to language.

Here are six facts you might not have known about sign language.

How to Improve Your Relationships Amid Hearing Loss

It’s February—and love is perhaps in the air. When it comes to hearing loss, communication and conversation are even more pivotal to your relationships. It’s important to take the steps to ensure you can engage with the people you love without frustration or miscommunication.

Here are a few tips for managing relationship conversations amid hearing loss.

The Guide to Keeping Your Hearing Safe During Football Games

It’s that time of year—if you’re a pigskin fan, you’re probably going to hit a few games now and again throughout the next few weeks. With the Super Bowl fast approaching, football games are a hotspot.

But when it comes to outdoor or partially outdoor games, are you taking the proper precautions to protect your hearing? Here are some tips.

New Year’s Resolutions: How to Prioritize Your Hearing in 2017

Welcome to another year—with a new set of challenges to face and opportunities to embrace. Many people enjoy making resolutions at the start of the new year, but few follow through on those new-year promises. 

Here are four popular New Year’s resolutions and why addressing your hearing loss can help you achieve them and have a successful 2017.

How Treating Hearing Loss Affects Your Physical and Mental Health

Rule No. 1 when it comes to hearing loss – don’t let it cause you to be anti-social or retreat from spending quality time with friends and family. One of the best ways to avoid this pitfall is to make efforts to treat your hearing loss, whether it’s assistive listening devices (ALDs) or hearing aids.

Here are just some of the many health benefits of taking the time to treat your hearing loss.

The Gift of Communication: 3 Programs Ideal for Communication Access

It’s the holiday season – and what better gift than that of communication? For those who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-disabled, communication can be a very useful gift.

Luckily Relay South Dakota offers some programs ideally built for this type of recipient – here’s a rundown of the services available.