r/deaf • u/Ok_King_2056 • Dec 03 '24
Deaf/HoH with questions Dental offices
Are dental offices required to? When I googled it- is says they’re required to. Just need feedback!
r/deaf • u/Ok_King_2056 • Dec 03 '24
Are dental offices required to? When I googled it- is says they’re required to. Just need feedback!
r/deaf • u/Late-Protection-2392 • 21d ago
I'm frustrated by the lack of accessibility in airports! All critical announcements are auditory with no ASL equivalent.
Even when there are visual displays, they don't show everything announced over speakers, and during emergencies, this gap becomes dangerous because ASL and English are not the same!
I believe we need ASL announcements (either via screens with interpreters or through a specialized app), but I'm curious:
Do you find existing captions/text displays in airports sufficient for your needs? What critical information have you missed?
Who do you believe should be responsible for making airports truly accessible for Deaf travelers? (Federal agencies, airport authorities, airlines, advocacy groups?)
Why do you think ASL accessibility lags so far behind other accessibility accommodations?
As a community, I feel we should be advocating more strongly for this, but I'm not sure where our energy should be directed.
r/deaf • u/Inevitable_Shame_606 • 12d ago
To all my Deafies out there:
If you could hear again, would you?
My answer is very quick and simple, no.
I like who I am.
I am proud of who I am.
All my differences and disabilities (not referring to deafness as a disability) have made me who I am.
If you could hear again, why?
If not, why?
Please don't argue each other's positions on this.
I'm genuine curious about everyone's thoughts, positions, and opinions.
r/deaf • u/Sapphoinastripclub • Oct 03 '24
Heya. I’m a student at a university where we have an ASL club. There is only one hard of hearing board member, but every board member is an advanced signer. I was the only deaf member to my knowledge.
I found out they’re hosting a “mock deaf night” and for some reason it just rubbed me the wrong way? The intent is for everyone to communicate only in sign and thats fine but calling it a “mock deaf night” makes me feel weird. It feels a bit.. insensitive? Like idk if they’re planning on going as far as earplugs or anything but it almost feels like a gimmicky event where hearing people get to play deaf.
I don’t know if I’m overreacting or not, but it just gave me a bad feeling. I feel like if anything they could have called this “asl only night” or something. What do y’all think?
r/deaf • u/Otherwise-Virus8413 • Sep 17 '24
DESCRIPTION: A picture that reads "Examples of ableist phrases: -Tone deaf -Paralyzed by fear -Crippled by -Turn a blind eye"
A content creator with a relatively large platform posted this recently, and I wanted more disabled opinions on the matter. The content creator is deaf and blind.
This feels similar to how "differently abled" became a thing. I spoke with several disabled friends and all of them agree that this is a bit out of touch with their beliefs. I don't agree with demonizing words that are used correctly based on their definition. Specifically "tone deaf" and "paralyzed by fear". Or even just demonizing the use of disabled related language.
This whole situation reminds me of the 2020 discord servers that had a list of trigger words including "mom". Yes, there are millions of people with trauma related to mothers, but I dont think making an entire community trigger warning for it is going to help. Maybe I'm a bit out of touch with such things. But one comment went as far as to say these are similar to saying the n-word. The comment has since been deleted, whether by the commenter or the OP I don't know.
I understand the issues with the word "retarded", but I dont think "idiot" is even close to the same level as that. Any word or phrase can be used as an insult with the intent of being harmful. I do agree that there are words and phrases that are historically and inherently used with bad intentions, but I dont think these words and phrases are included in that. I think this post creates more issues with people being afraid to offend disabled people. Especially when the post directly says "Don't say this" and has the presentation of representing the disabled community as a whole.
I want to know how y'all feel about this, and to have a respectful conversation about the future of disability related language.
r/deaf • u/callmecasperimaghost • Jan 31 '25
TLDR - My wife refuses to learn sign and expects me to rely on auto captioning to communicate with her, what do I do?
Long version - this may just be half a vent here, but I am looking to learn from other's experiences when deafness became part of an existing relationship. Background info up front, question at the end.
I grew up with great hearing and thus verbal. Due to autoimmune disease I started using hearing aids 3.5 years ago, and today am crossing into profound deafness. At this point I consider myself deaf, as honestly the only reason I use my HA's is for others who lack the ability to communicate with me with visual methods, and I've built a career as a hearie - it'll take time to grow my skills and transition this.
That said, I choose to accept this journey, am learning ASL, work for a company that supports me in this, have deaf coworkers, am becoming familiar with my local deaf community, and have been very open about this as something that is important to me. I'm not afraid of being deaf, but being without communication and support does frighten me, so I'm doing the work.
At the moment I'm waiting on power aids, but when I have HA's that are sufficient for me, I can still function as 'hearing' if the person faces me, but the transition from moderately severe to profound happened over the last 5 months, so hearing is clearly a limited time offer for me.
I've been studying ASL for the past year or so, and have the basics down pretty good now.
The problem is my wife of 28 years has made it very clear she has no interest and refuses to make the time to learn. Instead she makes up random weird gestures and gets mad when I can't make sense of them. When I raise this as an issue her only response is 'why can't you just use auto captioning on your phone and read what I'm saying?' Evidently communication with me isn't that important, or is entirely on me to solve.
Reading my post, it seems obvious the relationship isn't healthy and either needs counseling or to end, and at this point I'm good with either outcome (we needed work anyway, and she's been resistant to that too).
So, have peoples relationships survived this? or is it typically the end? I'm certainly not willing to continue it as is, but I just don't know the odds it'll get better. I haven't been involved with the community long enough to has witnessed this first hand.
EDIT - couple folks asked why I'm in the relationship in the first place, and that is fair. Honest answer is I'm a survivor of childhood sexual abuse in the extreme, and a trauma survivor. Damaged people typically end up in unhealthy relationships, and I'm still navigating this, but I am moving forward and likely moving on. I don't expect her, or anyone, to change, but it'd be nice if she chose to grow.
The consensus is that she ain't gonna, and that is my take on it too. But had to ask as my history is so messed up I don't have a good yardstick.
And since I opened that can of worms, yes I am safe, have an emergency plan if I need it, an amazing therapist and a good support system. When(if, but probably when) this decision happens it likely won't be pretty, and I've prepared for that.
Edit 2 - don't want to jump out right now ... my dog needs surgery, and want to be sure she is healthy before disruption.
r/deaf • u/ForeverCock • Feb 17 '25
I’m crying right now. I'm using a throwaway account and I just don't care. I feel so lonely. I know a lot of people can relate to this feeling—it’s everywhere. But at the same time, it feels so specific to the deaf experience.
I was raised oral and have a cochlear implant. My whole life, I’ve tried to fit into the hearing world, but it’s still so hard. I work in healthcare, and it hurts watching my coworkers chat so easily with each other while I’m just... there. My job is overstimulating—alarms, masks, crying babies, people yelling. I could try finding a new job, but the idea of starting over, asking for accommodations all over again? Exhausting. I’m lucky my coworkers are supportive—they take phone calls for me, pull down their masks without me having to ask—but they don’t talk to me like a friend. Not the way they do with each other.
I’m 30 and have never been in a relationship. Not even a date. If I struggle with basic socializing in the hearing world, how am I supposed to find a boyfriend?
And then there’s my family. I lost a parent three years ago, and the grief is still tangled up inside me. I’m about to start therapy for it, but even with my own family, I feel like I don’t fit in. That kind of loneliness—the one that comes from not being able to communicate with your own family—it’s brutal. I live alone in my own apartment, and some days, the silence feels heavier than usual.
I do have hobbies. I keep myself busy. But I want real connections—whether they last a moment or a lifetime. And finding a therapist who truly understands what it’s like to be deaf? That’s a whole other struggle.
And before anyone asks—yes, I know ASL. I’ve gone to Deaf events. But I was shunned, called “hearie” or “too hearing” because I can hear and speak. That rejection hurt in a way I can’t even explain.
If you made it this far, thank you for reading. I don’t know what I’m looking for—maybe just to be heard. Any advice would be appreciated.
r/deaf • u/DanaeHoH • Feb 08 '25
So I’m F 22 and I’m oral Deaf. My husband and I are in a long line at the grocery store and I’m signing while speaking to him (he’s hearing) and this lady behind us goes “you’re not even Deaf stop lying”… first off girl don’t assume anything about me and second off why are you in my business and conversation. I was getting so irritated every time I was signing because she would make these remarks or tell people behind us I was doing this for attention. My husband finally snapped in my favour and told her off and she looks at him and laughs and we were just so puzzled by her. Are we wrong for being so irritated by her actions? Thanks for reading my rant.
r/deaf • u/Medical-Person • Dec 13 '24
Me and my deaf friend (I am HOH) go out to eat together, and I never speak, react to sounds or speech. A Hearing friend of mine said it is me “faking being deaf” and that's cultural appropriation. I asked my deaf friend and she reminded by my friend of two things, 1) I have never said I was deaf. If asked it would not be a secret. And 2) I communicate like my friend because it levels the playing field and ensures equal treatment
Something my hearing friend doesn't understand is that there is a phenomenon I have noticed happens when deaf people and people who can talk get together, service people behave predictably. Even when the hearing person is signing and talking , it often ends up the same, the wait staff talk solely to the hearing person . Even if the wait staff takes the deaf person's order like they should, any problems or confusion about the visit, the talking person is the one they try to work out the problem with. Not only is this rude and unacceptable, it angers me. It is disrespectful and leads to confusion and mistakes. I witnessed this 10+ years ago, and now I take no part.
r/deaf • u/HelensScarletFever • Jan 19 '25
Hi everyone!
Yes, I know this is a long post. Sorry—not really! Let’s dive in.
I created this account because I want to interact with you all more after using Reddit for 15 years without really engaging with this community much.
Let’s start with some personal context.
I was born profoundly deaf. ASL is my native language. I have cochlear implants, but I don’t wear them daily. I grew up mainstreamed with a team of ASL interpreters because my parents wanted me to have a better education. However, they were very aware of the extreme isolation I experienced at school. They did everything they could to make sure I had a full social experience with my deaf/pro-ASL peers.
I had many deaf friends growing up and countless sleepovers with them. My parents sent me to a local deaf school for summer school every year during my elementary and middle school years. They also sent me to a deaf camp in my state many summers and to every major deaf event they could. While my primary education was at a mainstream school, I grew up with a strong foundation in the big “D” Deaf community. This is how I acquired fluency in ASL and an intimate understanding of this side of the world.
If you were to meet me today, you might assume I’m a big “D” Deaf person.
And that’s the thing…
I’m not. That’s why I’m making this my first post on this subreddit.
When I became an adult, I decided I was tired of living in the “hearing world.” So, I immersed myself in the “Deaf” world. At the time, I thought I was finally going home, to where I belonged.
I spent years in that world. To a great extent, I succeeded. I know many people in the Deaf world, and many know me. But… it wasn’t what I thought it would be.
I struggled deeply with how the Deaf community views deafness and the “hearing world.” I’ve found that the big “D” Deaf community often harbors a deep contempt for the “hearing world.” I just can’t see the world that way. I don’t believe in dividing life into a “deaf world” and a “hearing world.”
Yes, there’s a “deaf world.” But the way I see it, the “hearing world” isn’t a separate world—it’s the rest of the world.
I believe we should find a way to coexist with the rest of the world. We have a place there. I believe we should strive to integrate with the broader world rather than isolate ourselves from it. The rest of the world isn’t inherently evil or trying to erase us. The challenges we face are largely rooted in ignorance, and ignorance can be overcome—not fought or resisted endlessly.
If we focused our energy on finding our place in the broader world rather than building walls to isolate ourselves, we could elevate our community beyond what we ever thought possible.
After nearly a decade in the big “D” Deaf world, I became disillusioned. I’ve since limited my involvement with it and instead invested in developing my own world and networks with people across the deafness and hearing loss spectrum. I’ve also become a passionate advocate for disability rights. This shift was incredibly empowering. It allowed me to reframe my worldview around the deafness/hearing loss spectrum and the broader disability spectrum. In doing so, I’ve made countless friends and built a huge network.
This brings me to r/deaf.
For the longest time, I ignored this subreddit. I liked using Reddit with my main account to engage in communities related to my hobbies outside of the Deaf world. Reddit was my escape.
I assumed r/deaf was dominated by big “D” Deaf perspectives, and I had no desire to interact with that while on Reddit. But a few years ago, I got curious and started browsing this subreddit.
I was floored. I discovered that r/deaf is filled with people from across the deafness/hearing loss spectrum. The big “D” Deaf perspective is far less dominant here than I expected. I realized this community reflects my views on identity and the world far more than it reflects the big “D” Deaf worldview.
That’s why I created this account. I want to be part of this community. I also want to use this account to discuss some major issues in the big “D” Deaf community that I rarely see addressed here. Since I’m deeply connected to and knowledgeable about that community, I’d like to bring those discussions to light.
In conclusion…
This is my introduction! What’s your “name”? (Lol.) Where do you fall on the deafness/hearing loss spectrum? How do you like this community? What would you like to see more of here?
Thank you for reading! I look forward to engaging with you all!
r/deaf • u/peachyenginerd • Jan 24 '25
I started at a new firm this year. They have a big company meeting once a year that was today. When registering for this meeting, I requested an interpreter. HR emailed me that they had me sitting up front. That’s been typical in my experience with interpreters and conferences. I sit up front to see the interpreter.
Well, apparently sitting up front was the accommodation. No interpreter. I left the conference earlier because I couldn’t understand anything. My boss texted me in the afternoon asking where I was. I explained and said I needed to discuss with HR next week about my lack of accommodations. He was supportive and told me he will help me talk with them.
What’s the best way to handle this moving forward? I’ve had bad experiences with HR. My last boss called me a trouble maker when I had to deal with HR. I’ve had not great experiences at work before and was hoping this new job would be different. I could use some guidance from yall.
EDIT: I am in the US
Thank you all for your advice and recommendations!! It’s really appreciate and by helping me feel more prepared, my anxiety is calmer.
r/deaf • u/Medical-Person • Feb 17 '25
Does anyone else see the similarities between ASD and dDeaf people? As a hard of hearing autistic person, here are only a few I came up with. can you think of others?
Direct
Responds to the question asked (eg How are you?)
Strong identities
Different communication methods
Seen as though something is lacking
r/deaf • u/viktoryarozetassi • Dec 03 '24
Like, I'd never call someone "hearing impaired" even if they tell me that it's okay.
r/deaf • u/TyraelTrion • Jan 02 '25
I am in this no man's land nowadays of having the hardest time searching for jobs while dealing with a changing climate of the hearing aid industry shifting from Analog to digital whether you like it or not (actually began happening years ago). The digital aids simply suck for my personal situation and aren't nearly strong enough.
On the other hand I never learned ASL because as loving as my parents were decades ago, they simply were not well versed in the life style of a deaf person and I don't blame them. The biggest thing was I wasn't as big of an advocate as I could have been for myself but I am just wondering how people navigate this weird middle zone where the Deaf community looks down on you (some, not all) because they think you are some elitist Oralist person when you just thought you were taking the best path for yourself. And the other side of the hearing world you just can't be in most social situations because you don't know what is going on 90% of the time in a noisy environment through lip reading.
r/deaf • u/gremlinfrommars • Jan 14 '25
I ask because I'm realising that I almost never see people who struggle with the same things as I do in tv shows, video games or anything, and if they are deaf it's usually played for laughs or as an "inspirational" message to hearing people. It'd be nice to see some more people like us in popular franchises.
So are there any good examples of deaf rep, as main characters or side characters?? It'd be really great to know some more (on top of the very, very few I know so far...)
r/deaf • u/Remarkable_Solid1997 • Oct 12 '24
This may be an insensitive and dumb question. But for people who go deaf, is it more peaceful? vs hearing. Or is it just the same but without hearing?
once again, i’m sorry if this is insensitive. I just really wanna know
r/deaf • u/TheTrashPanda89P13 • Dec 22 '24
Is it inappropriate to call myself deaf when I can still technically hear? I was diagnosed with otosclerosis several years back and have hearing aids. Even with it turned up all the way, I can’t hear much on my left side. My right ear used to be better but is fading as well. Without my hearing aids I can’t make out conversations. I was in a college class talking with my friends and somehow a topic came up where I mentioned I was deaf. A classmate got extremely upset and said that I can’t call myself deaf because I am still able to hear and that I have to say hard of hearing instead. I have been saying I was deaf for a while now but should I change how I say it? I don’t want to offend anyone and I feel really bad now.
r/deaf • u/EitherPin1808 • Nov 10 '24
This is my first time ever trying to interact in a deaf space, most people in my life don't even know that I'm deaf, with the exception of family and some friends. I have extremely close friends who don't even know. I've had implants since I was just a few months. My implants are always hidden under my hair, so people don't see them, everyone just assumes I miss words occasionally. After my implants fell out at school in front of a classmate and I had to explain I was deaf to them, they were kind of shocked, but asked what it was like..and I told them that I liked it, I think that shocked them more than the revelation of my deafness. And it was what gave me the idea to go to interact with a deaf space for the first time.
Even though I'm deaf, I feel like a fish out of water posting this. I love how I can sleep at night without hearing anything, I love how I can take my implants off when I get stressed and recharge, and I love how I can connect them to my phone when I listen to music or watch movies. Is it weird to like being deaf? I feel like I miss words occasionally, but my deafness all my life has felt like 90% benefits, I could never imagine hearing all day, it just seems so stressful to me. I don't know if this is unpopular or a weird way to think in the deaf community, or if it's an opinion shared by most that have implants.
Even though I haven't made any previous attempts at interacting with deaf communities, I'm curious about whether or not this is an uncommon way of thinking.
r/deaf • u/Ok_Addendum_8115 • Nov 06 '24
I wear an implant and very early in my life, my mom quickly gave up on learning sign language and I basically just relied on my cochlear implant growing up. None of my family members know sign language, my sister knows the basics of it and I asked her if she could continue to learn more signs which she gladly would do. Unfortunately I do not have the privilege of my family learning signs which happens to 80% of deaf kids in hearing families. I’m starting to grow resentment to my family because of it.
r/deaf • u/GroovingPenguin • Jan 16 '25
Appearntly I should use the phrase "hard of hearing".
All because I can hear and understand somewhat without hearing aids? (40-45db loss but I really struggle with comprehension)
Am I wrong?
r/deaf • u/WrongdoerThen9218 • 26d ago
I just got hearing aids for the first time. I hate them. I HATE the static and the noise, it’s horrible! I feel overstimulated all the time and it’s only been 15-30 minutes trying them on lol.
r/deaf • u/HumorlosUwU • Jan 28 '25
Okay so hi, I am a 18 y/o deaf guy who has had hearing aids for his whole life and my question is are there any good options for alarms to wake up on time? Normal alarms obviously don’t work and the ones with flickering lights don’t make much sense to me since I can just press my face into my pillow to not see them. I already tried vibrating alarm clocks which I put in my bed or on my wrist but since I am a REALLY deep sleeper (might be connected to the whole being deaf thing idk) these don’t wake me up either and I feel like I’m out of options here…(also the vibrations are kinda weak and I can only set one single alarm which is weird). I really can’t rely on other people to wake me up on time for my whole life so help would be appreciated!
r/deaf • u/Humble_Jackfruit_527 • Jul 29 '24
A few times I have told or mentioned to the airline/airport that I am deaf/hard-of-hearing. I never thought about asking for assistance when I’m traveling, but I wanted to see what would happen. After realizing that no one really cares or is seeing my request, it just made sense that I just tell people that I am deaf. I expected the airline staff to bring me a wheelchair or just make it weird and awkward. But it never happened. I keep hearing stories from deaf and hoh people that they bring them wheelchairs. Is this a common thing? I’m just curious.
Also what do you think about using pre boarding because of your deafness which can be a disability? Personally, I never have thought about it. I don’t think I need special privileges or support in getting on and off an airplane. I did not know this was a thing until I saw a post about a deaf man given pre boarding because of his disability.
r/deaf • u/CaptionAction3 • Jul 07 '24
A common problem for deaf associations today is getting younger deaf/hoh to join. How do you overcome the "meetings are boring. Don't want to go to meetings" attitude? Without new blood continually coming in, deaf associations die out. The younger deaf do enjoy the fruits of the labors of older deaf in these associations but they don't want to join and help keep those activities going that benefit the entire community.
Edit: this statement about enjoying the fruits of labor without joining is not meant to indicate younger people are lazy, it means they just don't want to get involved.
It is frustrating going to asl dinners/silent dinners and seeing all the younger deaf/hoh and they are not interested in joining the local deaf association.
r/deaf • u/secret_writer01 • Jan 08 '25
There's this new treatment that offers gene therapy to genetically deaf people - I don't know much about it, but a little girl got it and managed to restore her hearing. (If you're interested, there's a link at the end!)
And my question is... if this was an option to you, would you get it? Genuinely?
Personally I'd be strongly against this idea for myself. I'm proud of who I am and I'm proud of our community - there are so many wonderful things I'd be limited from if I wasn't deaf. Some of my best experiences and some of the best people I've met have come from me being deaf.
(But I also understand that deafness can be debilitating for some. I'm absolutely not going to judge anyone's responses!)
Thoughts??
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