A common perspective views deafness primarily as a physical condition that needs to be treated or cured. Contrast this viewpoint with the perspective of Deaf culture. In your answer, explain how Deaf culture re-frames the experience of being deaf, using at least one specific cultural element as an example.

Perspectives on Deafness: Medical vs. Cultural

Audism is defined in the text as a hegemonic belief that "one is superior based on one’s ability to hear or to behave in the manner of one who hears"

Audism

American Sign Language (ASL) is the primary mode of communication for many deaf individuals in the United States. It is a complete visual language, relying entirely on visual signs and gestures without any verbal components.

American Sign Language (ASL)

A significant value within deaf culture is the continuation of its traditions, including the use of sign language. This cultural viewpoint often favors embracing deaf identity over adopting medical interventions like cochlear implants or oralist methods such as lip-reading and speech training.

Deaf Cultural Perspective on Hearing Interventions

Deaf culture refers to the shared customs, educational institutions, and languages that characterize communities of deaf individuals, both in the United States and globally.

Google

Deafness refers to the partial or complete inability to hear.

Deafness

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Deaf Culture

Congenital deafness is a condition in which a person is born without the ability to hear.

Congenital Deafness

Conductive hearing loss is a type of auditory impairment characterized by a failure in the transmission of sound energy to the cochlea. This condition specifically involves problems with the mechanical components of the ear, such as a failure in the vibration of the eardrum and/or a failure in the movement of the ossicles.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is a type of hearing impairment that occurs when a hearing problem is associated with a failure to transmit neural signals from the cochlea in the inner ear to the brain. It is recognized as the most common form of hearing loss.

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