By Open Hands Library Curator
According to the World Health Organization (2021), being deaf is medically defined as the reduced ability to detect sounds with hearing thresholds of 20dB or greater in one or both ears. In simple terms, sounds as small as leaves rustling cannot be heard. As such, hearing loss and deafness may be mild, moderate, severe, or profound and can be caused by various things such as infection, injury, or comorbidity such as Usher's or CHARGE syndrome. However, there is more to deafness than just "hearing loss".
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By PineappleandCheese
(Written 3/2/2020) It might feel weird, or inconvenient, or out of place. In the midst of the current situation, hundreds of thousands of churches have now been forced to forego hosting their regular meetings in exchange for the alternative. Every week, churches are holding online worship services for their stuck-at-home members. It might feel awkward, or distant, or less engaging. Many will long for the time they can resume their regular meetings and fellowship with God’s people at their local church. By Anonymous
Approximately 90% of deaf babies are born into hearing families. For a majority of these families, this will be the first time they will have encountered a deaf person and is likely that they “encounter deafness for the first time through the medicalized script” (Mauldin 2016, p. 51). This medical lens often frames deafness and cochlear implants in one of two ways - as a neurodivergent state and a tool for learning spoken language or as a physiological abnormality that needs to be remedied. In either case, the ultimate question remains: the ethical practice of implantation on deaf individuals (especially infants). Based on practices observed at the New York General Hospital (NYG), the medical practice of infant cochlear implantation is ethical, however, early intervention practices surrounding implantation remains in question. By PineappleandCheese
Statistically, special needs children are a minority in their households and their communities. In turn, whether they are deaf or non-verbal, this means that language access and acquisition does not naturally occur. Families must make a constant effort to provide for their child’s linguistic needs. For some, this is an overbearing task that’s not worth the time or effort. For others, it’s nice but not a priority. For few, it’s everything. |
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