1. Health

Deafness: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Audiology - Ear Wax
Ear wax removal and treatment of deep wax are explained in this article.
Sign Language Books
Top sign language books and dictionaries, from your About.com Guide.
Sign Language Dictionaries
Do you need to know how to sign a word? Check a sign language dictionary online.
Famous/Historic Deaf People Hub
Articles on well-known figures in the deaf/hard of hearing community both contemporary and past.
Sign Language - I Love You
The I Love You handshape, perhaps the most recognized sign.
Sign Language - Sign Names
Forum members answer a question about the use of sign names.
Hearing Tests Online
Hearing tests are available online and can be used as a way for you to initially gauge whether you have a hearing loss.
How to Become an Interpreter
How to become an interpreter for deaf and hard of hearing people.
Sign Language - Sexuality
Sources of sign language words for common human sexuality terms.
Accessibility - CART
An increasingly popular alternative to an interpreter is the use of CART, or Computer Assisted Realtime Translation.
People - Lou Ferrigno
Lou Ferrigno, a hard of hearing actor and bodybuilder.
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.
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.
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.
Cause - Ototoxicity
Ototoxic drugs can cause hearing loss, both temporary and permanent.
Sign Language - Careers
Learn about careers that use sign language.
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 Interpreter Pay
How much salary does a sign language interpreter earn? It depends.
Sign Language Alphabet
Fingerspell the letter F.
Deaf History - Milan 1880
Milan 1880 was a historic event in deaf education that nearly led to the death of sign language.
Cochlear Implant Surgery
What happens in a cochlear implant surgery.
Sean Berdy Interview
Interview with Sean Berdy, a deaf actor who plays Emmett on the ABC Family show Switched at Birth.
People - Helen Keller
Helen Keller was a remarkable deafblind woman whose appeal endures.
Donating Used Hearing Aids
What to do with used or unwanted hearing aids. Information on donation programs with domestic and international objectives.
Jobs - Employment Resources
Resources for finding jobs in the deaf community.
Sign Language - Signing Games
Forum members answer a question about sign language games for learning sign language.
Low Frequency Hearing Loss
Low frequency hearing loss is defined, along with its causes, how common it is, and treatment.
Hearing Aid Care
How to care for hearing aids properly.
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.
Deaf History - Martha Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard island was a place where it was normal to be deaf.
Letters K through T
Fingerspell the letter Q.
Deaf Culture - Audism
Audism as it is defined in the deaf community, and resources on audism.
Causes of Hearing Loss - Hub
Index of articles on causes of deafness and hearing loss.
Hearing Loss - Tinnitus
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can cause discomfort, but it is treatable.
Hearing Aid Batteries Q and A
Hearing aid batteries are the topic of this interview.
People - Alexander G Bell
Alexander Graham Bell and his connection to the deaf community.
Cause - Sudden Deafness
More people lose their hearing suddenly than you might think.
Deaf History - Sign Language
History of sign language.
FM Listening Systems
FM systems are an essential educational listening tool for deaf and hard of hearing children.
Insurance and Hearing Aids
Insurance coverage for hearing aids, or the lack thereof.
Sign Language - Pidgin Sign
Pidgin Sign(ed) English is a form of sign language that is between ASL and English.
Hearing Aids - Types
A wide variety of hearing aids are available.
Deafness in Kids
Hearing loss in children is caused by many things. These are the top known causes of deafness and hearing loss.
Unilateral Hearing Loss
A type of hearing loss that gets relatively little attention is unilateral hearing loss.
Internet Relay Services
A comparison of internet relay services for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Audiology - ABR versus OAE
Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and otoacoustic emissions testing (OAE) are compared in this article.
Cause - Meniere's Disease
Meniere's disease is a common disorder of dizziness and hearing loss.
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.
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.
Sign Language - Australia
Auslan is the sign language of Australia. Resources for learning Auslan.
Deafblind Triplets
Profile of a family with deafblind triplet daughters.
Deaf Culture - Disabled? Not?
Do deaf people consider themselves to be disabled or only deaf? Forum members debate the question.
Music in the Ears
Sometimes deaf people, particularly older deaf people, will hear music in their heads. This can cause them to question their sanity, but it is only musical ear syndrome.
Jobs - Careers in Deafness
Careers for hearing people wanting to work with deaf people.
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.
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.
Deaf and Music
Music can be enjoyed by and plays an important role in education for deaf people.
Deaf Culture Basics - Hub
Aspects of American deaf culture.
Cause - Meningitis
Meningitis a dangerous illness that can strike at any age, and victims that survive often suffer hearing loss.
Hearing Loss - Mild
Mild hearing loss may not appear that serious, but it does have its effects.
Cause - Autoimmune Inner Ear
Autoimmune inner ear disease is one of the lesser known causes of hearing loss.
Deaf Community - Rochester, NY
Rochester, New York has one of the largest deaf populations per capita.
Sudden Loss - Rush Limbaugh
Sudden hearing loss has affected Rush Limbaugh.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Gays
The deaf and hard of hearing gay community.
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.
Cochlear Implant Failure
Newly implanted cochlear implants sometimes have to be removed and the patient re-implanted.
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.
Cause - Presbycusis
Hearing loss due to aging is known as presbycusis.
Total Communication
Total communication, or simultaneous communication, is a popular communication and educational option for deaf and hard of hearing.
People - Heather Whitestone
Heather Whitestone was Miss America for one year but has a permanent place in deaf history.
Deaf Movies
These are the best movies about deafness that I have seen, or that are recommended by About.com: Deafness visitors.
SSDI and Deaf People
If a deaf person loses a job, one option is to apply for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).
Accessibility - Doctors
What the law says about deaf people and interpreters for doctors, dentists, and hospitals.
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.
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.
Deaf Community - South Africa
South Africa has a well-established deaf community, well-served by schools, organizations, service agencies, and more.
Sign Language - Spanish Sign
Spanish speaking countries such as Mexico have their own Spanish sign languages.
Ear Candling
Ear candling is said to be a means of removing ear wax.
Deaf Culture - Big D Small D
One of the first things I learned about deaf culture is that there are "big D" Deaf and "small d" deaf.
Lipreading or Speechreading
Lipreading, or speechreading, is an invaluable communications tool for deaf and hard of hearing people.
Employment and Deafness Hub
Articles on employment within the deaf and hard of hearing community.
Ear Wax Hub
Learn about ear wax and the problems it can cause, and also about ear wax removal.
Cause - Otosclerosis
Learn about otosclerosis and hearing loss.
Animal Sign Language
Signs for animals
Hearing Loss - Types, Degrees
Understanding the type and degree of hearing loss you or your child may have.
Deaf History Hub
Different aspects of deaf history and heritage, such as the Deaf President Now movement, and the history of cochlear implants.
Letters U through Y
Fingerspell the letter X.
audiograms
How to understand the audiogram you get after a hearing test.
Sign Language - Religious
Resources for religious sign language and songs or prayers, Christian and Jewish.
Jack Jason
Jack Jason's career has grown right alongside that of Marlee Matlin, whom he interprets for and works with as a business partner.
Top Sign Language Articles - Hub
The most popular sign language articles at About.com:Deafness.
Noise - Veterans
Veterans and hearing loss - what help is available for them?
Deaf People With Autism
Some deaf children are also autistic.
Hearing Loss - Demographics
The demographics or statistics of hearing loss. How many people are deaf or hard of hearing?
Pathological versus Cultural
There are two types of views of deafness - the pathological and the cultural.
People - Vinton Cerf
Vinton Cerf is known as the 'father of the internet' and he is hard of hearing.
Deafness and Balance
Balance problems are common among people with hearing loss.
Gallaudet Murders Arrest
Joseph Mesa Gallaudet University deaf hard of hearing murders
Deaf Culture - Deaf Art
What deaf art is, and where it can be found online.
Difference Deaf HOH
Many people don't know what the difference between deaf and hard of hearing is. The truth is, there isn't really that much of a difference!
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?
Baby Signing Hub
Signing with babies, whether hearing or deaf, has proven to be beneficial.
ASL Idioms
Part of deaf culture includes American Sign Language idioms, idioms used only by the deaf community and that do not appear in regular spoken English.
Waardenburg Syndrome
Waardenburg syndrome can cause hearing loss, and several other symptoms as well.
Deaf Senior Citizens
Deaf senior citizens, and retirement communities, nursing homes, and organizations for them.
Colleges for the Deaf - Hub
Colleges and universities just for deaf and hard of hearing students.
Signs for Food
Examples of how to sign words related to food.
Cause - Acoustic Neurinoma
What an acoustic neurinoma is, what may cause one, treatment, and support for people with acoustic neurinomas.
Sign Language Articles Hub
A collection of articles about sign language.
History of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids through the years.
Used Hearing Aids
Can used hearing aids be bought and sold? Where can you buy them?
Sign Language Games
Games and puzzles, in books, board games, and online games for learning and practicing sign language either alone or with friends.
Cause - Glue Ear
Glue ear, or otitis media, is a common cause of hearing loss, especially in foreign countries.
Deaf History - CI
A history of the cochlear implant, a surgically implanted device that helps deaf people to hear.
People - Thomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison not only was a great inventor, he was hearing impaired too.
Hearing Aids - Pictures of Hearing Aids
Gallery of hearing aids for deaf and hard of hearing people. Modern hearing instruments are available in multiple styles, and for different levels of hearing loss. They come in multiple colors and range from the traditional behind the ear style to invisible and in the canal. Designs are sleek and even sexy. Modern hearing aids are like computers, digital and wireless.
Hearing Aids - Implantable
Implantable hearing aids are a type of hearing aid that does not have any visible parts.
Deaf Community - Los Angeles
A look at the deaf community of Los Angeles, California.
Deaf Community - India
Deafness information for India, including schools and nongovernmental organizations.
Literacy for Deaf Children
Literacy resources for teaching deaf children how to read and write.
Sign Language Basics
Learn about sign language, its different flavors, and ways to have fun with sign language.
Sign Language - Signed English
A look at one form of communication and instruction, the use of Signing Exact English.
Genetics Hub
Genetics and hearing loss and resources for more information including websites, books, and organizations doing research.
People - Frelich and Bove
Two of the most respected actresses in the deaf community, Phyllis Frelich and Linda Bove.
How We Hear
Frequently asked questions about the basics of the ear
Deaf Literature - Poetry
Poetry is a medium for expressing feelings about hearing loss.
Sign Language - ASL Poetry
ASL poetry is the telling of poems, usually original poems, in sign language.
Jobs - Employment Discrimination
Employment discrimination in the job search can prevent deaf and hard of hearing people from being able to find employment.
Sign Language - ABC Stories
ABC stories are a fun way to express and practice the sign alphabet.
Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants are surgically-implanted tools that can restore some hearing for many deaf people; however, they are not not a cure for deafness.
People - Dummy Hoy
Dummy Hoy was a deaf baseball player who may belong in the Hall of Fame.
Jobs - Advice for Employers
Information on deafness for employers, including the hiring process and on the job accomodation.
Sign Language - Why Learn Sign
Why learn sign language was discussed by forum members.
Deaf African American Hub
Deaf African American/black people.
Deaf Parents Hearing Children
Resources for deaf people parenting hearing children.
My CI Story Part One
My own experience of getting a cochlear implant.
Digital versus Analog Aids
Digital and analog hearing aids are the primary technologies used in hearing aids.
Deafness Articles by Topic - Hub
Deafness and hearing loss topics, ranging from sign language to causes of hearing loss.
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.
Fluctuating Hearing Loss
A hearing loss that goes up and down is called a fluctuating hearing loss.
Cause - TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) is one of the lesser known causes of hearing loss.
Deaf-Hearing Relationships
Forum members discuss deaf and hearing relationships.
People - Curtis Pride
Curtis Pride, a professional and minor league baseball player, happens to be deaf.
Deaf Culture - Deaf of Deaf
One of the most interesting aspects of the deaf community is the presence of people who are deaf of deaf, and multigenerational deaf families.
Sign Language - Difficulty
Is it too hard to learn sign language? Personal challenges in learning sign language, the opinions of other people, and articles on the difficulty of learning sign language.
Buying Hearing Aids
Buying hearing aids can be challenging. About how to buy hearing aids.
I Love You Handshape Example
Example of how to make the I Love You sign handshape.
Health - Mental Health - Deaf
Accessible mental health services for deaf people can be difficult to find.
Hearing Tests Hub
Hearing tests are an essential part of evaluating the health of a newborn baby. Plus, older adults who are losing hearing may need hearing tests.

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