zombieaesthetic:

psa for hearing people writing Deaf characters

while im not Deaf or HoH, ive been in ASL classes and learned a lot about Deaf culture. in writing ive seen, especially fanfiction, often the portrayal of a Deaf character seems a bit ingenuine because of the lack of research put into deafness. there are a few things that are usually written a bit badly :

• there is a difference between a hearing aid and a cochlear implant . in just about every single fic ive read about a Deaf character, the term “hearing aid” is used, and while that isnt particularly Wrong, i wouldnt say its 100% right all the time. for people with PARTIAL deafness, a hearing aid can be a useful tool because it amplifies the surrounding noise, but those with complete deafness cant use hearing aids. instead, there is a surgical procedure where a device, the cochelar implant, is implanted into the skull and creates a type of “hearing” with artificial fibers imitating the hair follicles in our inner ear that detect sound (from my understanding. correct me if im wrong.) a little external decice clips over the ear to use the internal device. But, if the person had Any hearing to begin with, ie any hair cells that transmitted noise, then the process of implanting the cochlear would remove the natural hair and Without the cochlear on, they would not be able to hear as well as before the implant.
• Not Every Deaf Person Wants To Hear. actually, a great number of the Deaf community feel that tools like hearing aids and cochlear implants are attempts to Fix them, when they do not feel as if they are broken ! there are defined and Real Languages that the Deaf can communicate with. cochlear implants are also. A Bit Fucky. they dont grow with a person, so of a child gets one then they can grow to have migraines, pains, etc. not to mention doctors manipulating hearing parents into allowing their child to go through a procedure that they dont fully understand, or going behind Deaf parents’ backs without consent and giving their Deaf baby a “chance” . its a fucking problem lol. the Deaf dont want to be fixed! they arent broken or helpless. they can do Everything a hearing person can do, except hear. now, not all deaf or HoH people Care. some, especially people who went Deaf instead of being born Deaf (latened Deaf i believe? post language at least) would rather regain an imitation of hearing. every person, however, is different!
• Deaf people are very proud, and veeery straight forward. the way that signed language is, makes it so that metaphors and idioms are . noncomprehensible to a lot of Deaf. and also makes it so a lot of Deaf are sort of obtrusive lol. theres sarcasm, but often the Deaf are veeeeeery literal and Extremely blunt. also.. some Deaf people dont speak. theyre not Mute its just a preference thing because they cant differentiate tone or volume, and learning pronunciation is a bitch, especially if you Cant Hear It Anyway. the oral method of teaching, where they ban sign language and force speaking, is cruel and stifling. but again, some do learn to speak and its a preference thing.
• alexander graham bell is an asshole.
• historically the Deaf have been persecuted against. look up the Deaf President Now movement. look up Alexander Graham Bell and his views on sterilization and eugenics in order to prevent genetic deafness. a lot of people are Still ableist . the Deaf can drive, assholes, its fucking easy.
• NEVER call a Deaf person dumb, deaf mute, hearing impaired, or disabled

some numbers:

• 10% of Deaf kids are born to Deaf parents.
• a Deaf person can only get about 30% of any information through lip reading, usually even less.
• LESS THAN 2% OF HEARING PARENTS LEARN ASL. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LEARN TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR FUCKING CHILD. THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY FOR THE CLASSES!!!

this is Barely scratching the surface and im. A High School Student. i learned this In Class. im not a professor so ofc i dont know Everything, and this is also highly Americanized. if you have more info about the Deaf, INCLUDING those from other countries and the culture around the Deaf there, please add to this post !! i just feel that more people should be educated abt this, because inaccurate representations of deafness just perpetuate stigma etc etc etc .