Deaf Awareness Information
Information and facts about deaf and hard of hearing people is sometimes misunderstood. Here are some commonly asked questions when we facilitate Deaf Sport Awareness Training programs and the answers we provide. We call them ‘Mythbusters.’
1. Myth: Deafness can be cured with hearing aids and cochlear implants
2. Myth: Deaf and hard of hearing people are always unhappy about their deafness
3. Myth: You can call a person with a hearing loss “hearing impaired”, “deaf and dumb”, “ deaf”- it doesn’t really matter
4. Myth: Deaf and hard of hearing people cannot drive
5. Myth: Deaf and hard of hearing people cannot enjoy music
6. Myth: Deaf and hard of hearing people can’t have jobs, travel or raise families
7. Myth: Deaf and hard of hearing people cannot play all sports
8. Myth: Deaf and hard of hearing people playing sport cannot hear the umpire’s whistle or the siren sound.
9. Myth: It is hard to teach young deaf and hard of hearing children to play sport.
10. Myth: Australian Sign Language (Auslan) is not a real language
11. Myth: Deaf and hard of hearing children can learn to speak easily.
12. Myth: When you meet a deaf or hard of hearing person, talk slowly and loudly to them
13. Myth: Deaf and hard of hearing people can’t use the phone
14. Myth: Deaf and hard of hearing people can’t do well in school or higher education
15. Myth: All deaf and hard of hearing people can lip-read