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Deafness: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Sign Language Dictionaries
Sign language dictionaries are available online.
Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants, fast gaining popularity, can restore some sound for deaf people of all ages.
Audiology - Ear Wax
Ear wax removal and treatment of deep wax are explained in this article.
Sign Language - I Love You
The I Love You handshape, perhaps the most recognized sign.
Famous & Historic Deaf People
Articles on well-known figures in the deaf/hard of hearing community both contemporary and past.
Sign Language - Xmas Songs
Sign language translations of Christmas songs and carols.
Hearing Tests Online
Links to online hearing tests, with descriptions wherever possible.
Sign Word Reference Guide
A reference guide for the signs to words and phrases.
Sign Language - Classes
How to find a sign language class in your area.
Hearing Aid Prices
Hearing impaired people whose hearing losses are not severe enough for cochlear implants must use hearing aids. The problem is, hearing aids are not usually covered by health insurance plans. Learn more about the high cost of hearing aids.
Internet Relay Services
A comparison of internet relay services for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Sign Language - Sexuality
Sources of sign language words for common human sexuality terms.
Sign Language - Religious
Resources for religious sign language and songs or prayers, Christian and Jewish.
Sign Language Alphabet
The sign language alphabet (fingerspelling) in photographs.
People - Helen Keller
Helen Keller was a remarkable deafblind woman whose appeal endures.
Sign Language - Baby Signing
Signing with babies, whether hearing or deaf, has proven to be beneficial.
Cochlear Implant Surgery
What happens in a cochlear implant surgery.
Hearing Loss - Communication
With a few simple changes to their behavior or the communication environment, hearing people can communicate confidently with deaf and hard of hearing people even if they do not know sign language.
Sign Language - Xmas Words
Finding the signs for words associated with Christmas.
Sign Language - Songs Pledges
Deafness.about.com forum members answer a question about the signs for common songs and pledges.
Hearing Aids - Types
A wide variety of hearing aids are available.
Sign Language - Careers
Learn about careers that use sign language.
People - Lou Ferrigno
Lou Ferrigno, a hard of hearing actor and bodybuilder.
Sign Language - Sign Names
Forum members answer a question about the use of sign names.
Deafblind Triplets
Profile of a family with deafblind triplet daughters.
People - Kenny Walker
A look at the career of a deaf professional football player named Kenny Walker.
Deafness in Kids
Hearing loss in children is caused by many things. These are the top known causes of deafness and hearing loss.
Cause - Ototoxicity
Ototoxic drugs can cause hearing loss, both temporary and permanent.
Sign Language Basics
Learn about sign language, its different flavors, and ways to have fun with sign language.
Interpreting Jobs
After completing training to become a sign language interpreter, the newly trained interpreter needs to find a job interpreting. Suggestions on sources of employment for interpreters.
Jobs - Employment Resources
Resources for finding jobs in the deaf community.
Deaf Culture Basics
Aspects of American deaf culture.
Sign Language - Xmas Spirit
Expressing the Christmas spirit in sign language, through songs, videos, and novelties.
Sign Language Games
Games and puzzles, in books, board games, and online games for learning and practicing sign language either alone or with friends.
Hearing Aids - Financial Aid
Financing hearing aids and cochlear implants, due to their high prices and the cost of surgery, can be challenging. Here are some sources of help.
Sign Language - Spanish Sign
Spanish speaking countries such as Mexico have their own Spanish sign languages.
Sign Language - Animals
Signing the words for animals and zoos. Online resources in books, videos and flashcards for animal signs.
Deaf History - Sign Language
History of sign language.
Audiology - Booth Hearing Test
What happens in a booth hearing test.
Sign Language Clip Art
Answers the question where sign language clip art and digital tools can be found.
Hearing Aid Manufacturers
Companies that manufacture hearing aids. Most companies make digital hearing aids, and a few still make analog or body worn hearing aids. Still others make hearing aids that can resist water and sweat.
I Love You Handshape Example
Example of how to make the I Love You sign handshape.
How to Become an Interpreter
How to become an interpreter for deaf and hard of hearing people.
Sign Language - Colors
Signs for different colors. Colors included are red, blue, yellow, green, orange, brown, purple, black, and white.
People - Thomas H. Gallaudet
Thomas H. Gallaudet is the father of deaf education in the United States.
Wireless Communication
A look at the different features of some of the competing wireless text communication and paging services available to the deaf community.
Insurance and Hearing Aids
Insurance coverage for hearing aids, or the lack thereof.
FM Listening Systems
FM systems are an essential educational listening tool for deaf and hard of hearing children.
People - Curtis Pride
Curtis Pride, a professional and minor league baseball player, happens to be deaf.
Sign Language Books
Top sign language books and dictionaries, from your About.com Guide.
aboutearwax
Learn about ear wax and the problems it can cause, and also about ear wax removal.
Top Sign Language Articles
The most popular sign language articles at About.com:Deafness.
Hearing Loss - Demographics
The demographics or statistics of hearing loss. How many people are deaf or hard of hearing?
People - Louis Frisino
A look at the career of Louis Frisino, a deaf artist.
Sign Language - Signed English
A look at one form of communication and instruction, the use of Signing Exact English.
People - Laurent Clerc
Laurent Clerc is one of the most-honored deaf men in history.
People - C.J. Jones
C.J. Jones has a long record as an deaf and African-American actor/comedian.
Hearing Aid Care
How to care for hearing aids properly.
Buying Hearing Aids
Buying hearing aids is an expensive proposition, but there are guidelines and options available.
Total Communication
Total communication, or simultaneous communication, is a popular communication and educational option for deaf and hard of hearing.
Cause - Connexin 26
Connexin 26 is a known genetic cause of hearing loss. The hearing loss occurs because the mutation disrupts potassium flow in the inner ear.
Sign Language Facts
Basic facts on American Sign Language.
Sign Language - ABC Stories
ABC stories are a fun way to express and practice the sign alphabet.
Deaf Movies
These are the best movies about deafness that I have seen, or that are recommended by About.com: Deafness visitors.
Cause - Meniere's Disease
Meniere's disease is a common disorder of dizziness and hearing loss.
Sign Language - Signing Games
Forum members answer a question about sign language games for learning sign language.
Signing - Fingerspelling
Don't have time to learn sign language? Try learning the manual alphabet, or fingerspelling, instead.
Unilateral Hearing Loss
A type of hearing loss that gets relatively little attention is unilateral hearing loss.
Deaf Culture - Deafness Movies
Deafness in theatrical and television movies.
Deaf Community - New York City
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing community of the New York City area, and the social opportunities, social services, interpreting agencies and captioning services in the New York City area.
Sign Language - Thanksgiving
Finding the signs for words associated with Thanksgiving.
Hearing Aid Batteries Q and A
Hearing aid batteries are the topic of this interview.
Deaf and Music
Music can be enjoyed by and plays an important role in education for deaf people.
People - Alexander G Bell
Alexander Graham Bell and his connection to the deaf community.
People - Deanne Bray
Deanne Bray, a deaf actress, stars in Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye, on the Pax channel.
People - Vinton Cerf
Vinton Cerf is known as the 'father of the internet' and he is hard of hearing.
Sign Language - Hand Gestures
Are common hand gestures used by hearing people also found in ASL?
Audiology - ABR versus OAE
Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and otoacoustic emissions testing (OAE) are compared in this article.
Cause - Sudden Deafness
More people lose their hearing suddenly than you might think.
Causes of Hearing Loss
Index of articles on causes of deafness and hearing loss.
Before You Get Hearing Aids
Before you get hearing aids, you need to learn about different types of hearing aids, financing, care, and more.
Sign Language - Older Kids
Sign language can be used to help preschoolers learn to read.
Deaf History - CI
A history of the cochlear implant, a surgically implanted device that helps deaf people to hear.
People - Frelich and Bove
Two of the most respected actresses in the deaf community, Phyllis Frelich and Linda Bove.
Abbe De l'Epee
Who was the Frenchman Abbe Charles Michel De L'Epee and what is his role in deaf educational history and sign language?
Jobs - Become a Captioner
With captioning being mandatory, there has been increased interest in the captioning field. Information and resources for hearing people interested in careers in captioning.
Cause - Presbycusis
Hearing loss and aging is known as presbycusis.
Deaf Culture - Audism
Audism as it is defined in the deaf community, and resources on audism.
ASL Classifiers
What are ASL classifiers in American Sign Language? This article explains ASL classifiers and gives examples.
Deaf Culture and Deaf Heritage
Deaf culture and deaf heritage articles.
Letters K through T
Fingerspell the letter Q.
Sign Language - ASL Poetry
ASL poetry is the telling of poems, usually original poems, in sign language.
Legal Rights of Deaf/HOH
The legal rights of deaf and hard of hearing people, and the laws that protect them. Resources for learning more about legislation that affects deaf and hard of hearing people.
Sign Language - Pidgin Sign
Pidgin Sign(ed) English is a form of sign language that is between ASL and English.
Children's Sign Language Books
The top children's sign language books, for young and elementary school-aged children.
Deaf Culture - Deaf Art
What deaf art is, and where it can be found online.
Employment and Deafness
Articles on employment within the deaf and hard of hearing community.
People - Andrew Foster
Andrew Foster is a deaf African American who started schools for the deaf in Africa.
Lipreading or Speechreading
Lipreading, or speechreading, is an invaluable communications tool for deaf and hard of hearing people.
History of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids through the years.
People - Heather Whitestone
Heather Whitestone was Miss America for one year but has a permanent place in deaf history.
Deaf Culture - Deaf Theatre
Deaf theatre past and present, education in deaf theatre, resources on deaf theatre, and deaf playwrights.
Deaf Sports
An overview of sports in the deaf community.
Hearing Loss - Mild
Mild hearing loss may not appear that serious, but it does have its effects.
Twenty Six Letters
Learn how to sign each letter of the alphabet
Deaf History - TV 50s to Today
Deaf people have appeared on television since the 1950s.
Hearing Dogs for the Deaf
Hearing dogs may increase the independence of some deaf and hard of hearing people.
Donating Used Hearing Aids
What to do with used or unwanted hearing aids. Information on donation programs with domestic and international objectives.
Sign Language - Australia
Auslan is the sign language of Australia. Resources for learning Auslan.
Jobs - Search Discrimination
Job Searching can be frustrating for deaf and hard of hearing people.
Scholarships for Deaf Students
Deaf college students can get financial aid and scholarships. Similar scholarships are available for hearing students majoring in deaf-related fields.
Jobs - Careers in Deafness
Careers for hearing people wanting to work with deaf people.
Sign Language - Indian Sign
The early Native Americans used their own form of sign language for intertribal communication.
Sign Language - Nonverbal User
Sign language is not just for deaf and hard of hearing children and adults. There are categories of hearing children and adults who use sign language, including children with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, aphasia, and autism, and adults with stroke.
Deaf History - Martha Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard island was a place where it was normal to be deaf.
Deaf History - Milan 1880
Milan 1880 was a historic event in deaf education that nearly led to the death of sign language.
Hearing Loss - Tinnitus
Tinnitus, or ringing in the head, sometimes occurs with hearing loss.
Deaf Culture - Deaf Cinema
More and more deaf actors, writers, and directors are making films featuring deaf people and with deaf themes.
Deaf Community - India
Deafness information for India, including schools and nongovernmental organizations.
People - Dummy Hoy
Dummy Hoy was a deaf baseball player who may belong in the Hall of Fame.
Sign Language - School Signs
Signs for common school words, on the web, in books, and on video.
Deaf Culture - Comics Cartoons
Deaf people write and draw their own comic strips, some of which have become extremely popular.
Literacy for Deaf Children
Literacy resources for teaching deaf children how to read and write.
Deaf Culture - Disabled? Not?
Do deaf people consider themselves to be disabled or only deaf? Forum members debate the question.
People - Thomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison not only was a great inventor, he was hearing impaired too.
People - Christy Smith
Christy Smith, a deaf woman, was on the 'Survivor' reality show.
Hearing Loss - Types, Degrees
Understanding the type and degree of hearing loss you or your child may have.
Deaf and Learning Disabled
Resources for parents and teachers of deaf students with learning disabilities.
Hearing Aids - BAHAs
Bone-anchored implants are an option for those who can not wear conventional hearing aids.
Interpreters - Directories
Finding an interpreter to hire can be challenging. Here is a list of interpreting directories and sources for lists of interpreting service agencies.
Deaf School Mainstream Program
Forum members discuss the pros and cons of attending a deaf school versus being in a mainstream program.
Cause - Autoimmune Inner Ear
Autoimmune inner ear disease is one of the lesser known causes of hearing loss.
Sudden Loss - Rush Limbaugh
Sudden hearing loss has affected Rush Limbaugh.
Deafness Articles by Topic
Deafness and hearing loss topics, ranging from sign language to causes of hearing loss.
People - Douglas Tilden
Profile of the famous deaf sculptor Douglas Tilden.
Cause - Cholesteatoma
In its simplest definition, a cholesteatoma is a skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum. It can lead to hearing loss if left untreated.
Cause - Waardenburg Syndrome
Waardenburg Syndrome is one of the more unusual causes of deafness and hearing loss.
People - Terrence Parkin
Profile of Terrence Parkin, an award-winning swimmer who is deaf.
Letters U through Y
Fingerspell the letter X.
Deaf African American
Deaf African American/black people.
Cause - Meningitis
Meningitis is one of the most dangerous illnesses and victims that survive are often deafened.
Sign Word Reference A1
A comprehensive sign language glossary based on all the online sign language dictionaries.
Adoption - Deaf/HOH Children
Adoption of deaf and hard of hearing children internationally and domestically.
Education - Deaf/HOH in Class
Hearing teachers that find they have deaf children in their classes often need advice.
Sign Language - Food Signs 1
A mini-glossary of signs for food.
Sign Language - Days of Week
Signs for the days of the week.
Sign Language Teachers
As demand for sign language classes grows, so does demand for sign language teachers.
Pathological versus Cultural
There are two types of views of deafness - the pathological and the cultural.
Bilingual Bicultural
Bilingual bicultural education is one education option for deaf children.
Deaf History - Gallaudet U
A brief look at the ongoing history of Gallaudet University.
Explore Deafness
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