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Communication with the deaf

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Languages for the hearing impaired.

Lipreading or Sign Language

This poses a dilemma for me. I have been deaf for 36 years now and still have no idea how to sign apart from basic things. I personally have very strong views on this and thought perhaps I could get a debate going.

I was watching the TV programme ' Criminal Intent ' the other night and because that night's episode was based on the deaf I was naturally interested. Before that moment it had never occurred to me how touchy some people's feelings are.

I am a big believer in what I like to call the 'context of the times' and within these parameters I have to come out very strongly in favour of lip-reading. I will explain this as I go along.

Please rest assured that there is no right or wrong way about this and within society it is about what is best for hearing impaired people.

Contents at a Glance

The context of the times
What did it achieve?
A great communication for hearing impair...
Different types
Which is the best way forward?
HELP ME PROVE MY POINT

They change

The main gist of this is that times change and that perspectives need to change as well. In the past if someone was born deaf, they were left with almost no alternative but having to sign. Society as a whole for some reason completely beyond my comprehension, has always had a stigma about accepting the deaf. Consequently most of their care was left to their own families and a few other people who cared.

What did it achieve?

Not much except to make them a minority

Consequently because the perception was made that they were different, the only times that they felt normal was within their own communities and that was where they were happiest.

I am against this wholeheartedly because they are no different than anybody else. They still hurt, they still love and they are still human beings. Very occasionally you might get exceptional people who could break the mould. Helen Keller was the prime example of this.

A great communication for hearing impaired people

Modern day innovation

Different types

The best way forward

Essentially going deaf happens at different times and to different people. One might be born with this or have an accident later on in your growth stage and lastly as a part of growing elderly. No matter which way it is always felt hard.

In today's world things have evolved. There is more help for the deaf at all levels and medicine has improved to the stage of cochlear ear implants. Consequently there is no reason for the deaf to be left alone and in a world of sign language.

More importantly, how many hearing people know how to sign? However they all know how to talk. Therefore it stands to reason that lip-reading should have a major advantage over sign.

Which is the best way forward?

Times have changed

Lipreading or Sign Language

Lip-reading is best

Sue says:

Firstly do what you are most comfortable with and what comes naturally and you are most at ease with - you are the one that has to be comfortable and confident and happy ... secondly if time, funds etc permit, set yourself a challenge to learn which ever it is that you are not familiar with ... this can be fun and a great sense of achievement is gained when you have mastered the alternate art ....being master of both techniques is certainly a feather in anyone's cap and opens up the world to a whole new dimension .. i watch signing people and always think - how awesome, a whole new secret language !! Have always wanted to learn to sign to communicate with both deaf and deaf and dumb people and God willing i will one day achieve this goal.
Both are tools that i feel should be mastered to the best of ones abilities, however, i am also aware that we will automatically use what we are most comfortable and familiar with. There are also so many variables that i don't know whether it is possible to decide which is the best way forward. I also feel there is a danger lurking here, in making a hard and fast decision which decision may be good for the goose but not the gander ...
Having said all that though, i must add that on the face of it, and generally speaking, as you discussed, lip-reading does have a major advantage, but why only have an advantage when you could have full control with mastery over both crafts.
I guess what i am trying to say is why only win the battle when it is within your power to win the whole war ! The choice is yours !!
p.s you should have added a third choice for people like me !!

sousababy says:

Much of our communication is non-verbal, so I will pick lip reading. However, it is most responsible (when caring for someone deaf) to learn some sign language.

gogolf162 says:

I think lip reading is best because many people that can hear do not know sign language.

GrowWear says:

Well, I have to say that I believe it's best for both lipreading and sign language to carry on. And I do believe that if you care for your deaf mate, or friend, or cousin -- anyone you'll be having interaction with -- then you should put out the effort to habitualize looking them in the face so they can see your lips and to also learn sign language if the deaf person uses it or prefers it.

SereneSea says:

Lip reading is best, I feel this way every-one can converse and co-relate naturally. I sometimes wonder how difficult it is to lip-read.

mulberry says:

Not being deaf, I don't think I can judge this really. I have a deaf grandmother (in-law) and it frustrates me that she has to read lips as no one bothered to learn any sign language. It's seems unfair to put all of the burden on her. On the other hand, lipreading could be used with anyone and pose fewer limits on who a deaf person can commmunicate with at any given time. No easy answers I guess.

24websurf says:

My ex-husband is has 100% loss in one ear and 95% in the other, but is able to use an aid in that ear. He has lip-read all his life. They hadn't a clue he was nearly deaf until he was 7.

ArtSiren says:

I agree that lipreading is probably best simply because (as you say) everybody speaks. Very few hearing people learn to sign. But it's nice to build up a toolkit of skills I guess, and having the ability to do both is probably important, and confidence-building since it hopefully gives the hearing-impaired person two immediate ways of communicating/understanding.

luvmyludwig says:

My son is hard of hearing (he's missing 85% of his hearing)and wears bilateral hearing aids. He still misses a lot even with the aids, but lip reading helps him supplement. My son was born with this hearing loss, but we didn't know until he was 6, he's now 8. He learned to read lips so well at and early age that his speech wasn't nearly as bad as it should have been and was difficult to detect the hearing loss. We thought it was attention ( and that is part of it since he does have ADHD, but it wasn't all of it. I have chosen not to send my son to the school where where most of the deaf and hard of hearing children in the county go because I want him to be held to the same standard as all other children. He uses an FM system in class, but for the rest of his life he reads lips to supplement for what the aides miss. He is doing wonderfully ( a's and b's)! I do want to learn sign language, and I would like for him to learn one day, but for right now he communicates effectively. There is even a woman that works in the grocery store we go to who is deaf and she has a hearing aid for one ear ( she hears very little out of it) that doesn't use ASL. She is German and sign language there is different that here in the US. Neither her husband or kids sign. She communicates by talking and reading lips and she has no interest in learning ASL. I talk to her often and when my son sees her he lights up because she is like him, she has a colorful hearing aid(just like his) and she reads lips and talks a little different. I am all for lip reading because it doesn't limit him to who he can converse with.

OhMe says:

I certainly understand what you are saying about Lip-reading and it makes sense to me but also I think signing is beautiful and wish that everyone knew sign language. Since they don't, I guess I feel it should be whatever the person feels the most comfortable with and can communicate the best with.

No way, signing is best

swddrb says:

i'm deaf! this is so offensive the entire article!
your so clueless about what its like to be deaf.lip reading over sign? if you knew what you were talking about you wouldn't have written this. get your facts straight!
1st hearing impaired? so the hard of hearing or deaf are defective?
2nd less then 30% of the spoken english language is decernable by lip reading and fewer the 33% of people can learn to read lips! too many varrients..facial hairs, chewing gum while talking, speech pasterns ,dialects, etc.
3rd why are you asking hearing people what's better for the deaf? what?... you think the deaf can't decide for them selves?
4th medicine and cochlear ear implant only work for a small percentage
5th times have changed? really ? when there are people that still have the same views about deaf people that you posted , do you really wonder why the deaf stay away from the ignorance of well intentioned hearing people
6th get your facts before you post things !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

COUNTRYLUTHIER says:

Mign language. I feel lip reading has more opportunity for being misconstrued

PopCultureFan says:

Since you don't have a choice for both, I choose signing. I think many people who are hearing-impaired learn to lip read out of necessity to get along in a hearing world. However, I believe sign language is important and should not be disregarded just because the majority of the world does not know the language. We think nothing of learning another language like French or Spanish in order to more effectively communicate with others who do not speak English, so why not be willing to learn sign language to communicate with a person you know who is deaf? I think if you have someone in your life who is deaf, it shows respect and caring to learn their language, rather than expecting them to "do all the work" by trying to read your lips. It is also easy for a hearing person to forget that a person is deaf when they only read lips. The hearing person may unknowingly turn their head, speak too quickly, or talk over each other in a larger group which makes lip reading very difficult. Deaf or hearing we are all in this together and being willing to meet someone halfway is important.

Serenia says:

Sign language - I gew up deaf (well hard of hearing anyway) and taught myself to lipread. I still do miss a lot of the conversation. Some people still look at me as through I am weird and stupid. I really wish I had been taught how to sign. I have just recently obtained my first hearing aid and while it works fine in a quiet room, it does nothing outside or in a noisy environment. I also have a lens called Growing up Deaf, if you wish to read it.

Margo_Arrowsmith says:

I would think sign language

susannaduffy says:

Your choices make this a difficult poll to take. Which one is best? It depends on the person who is hearing-impaired. Surely it's up to that person, not me? I've been signing since I was in my teens - we learned AUSLAN at school - but I talk as I sign, like everyone else I know.

oneskms says:

Perhaps if everyone could do the very basic signs it would help those who couldn't for some reason lip read. I can only assume that lip reading can be hard for some so maybe if everyone knew the sign for lets say 'slow down a little so I can understand' it could be a step forward, also it wouldn't hurt anyone to learn simple 'hello' or 'how are you today' signing to help get across that 'initial meeting' barrier - for want of a better pun 'break the ice'

JaguarJulie says:

I think sign language is so beautiful it is almost music to my ears. Together both lip reading and sign language has a synergistic effect on communication -- I think.

Wysiwigs says:

Lipreading (to an extent) is something that is more of a natural affinity. Our daughter has excellent lip reading capabilities, she taught herself and was very skilled by the age of 4. However, one important aspect people tend to miss is that lipreading can be very tiring and really works best in one on one situations. While I expect my daughter to continue to hone her lipreading skills, we also use sign language and socialize with the deaf (the one place she doesn't have to worry about being left out of the group). So I guess my answer would be "C", all of the above :o)

Frankster says:

Also, signing even though different around the world is still easier for people to understand than a someone speaking a different language.

Frankster says:

I learning both is the way to go. I feel that it's like 2 different skills. What would happen if you couldn't use your mouth or hands for some reason? Jaw wired shut or hand in a cast. I've had friends who've had both. They were not deaf, but you see my point. And, I agree signing is beautiful.

sittonbull says:

Being practically deaf, I am becoming much more intrigued by non-verbal communication. For the short-term, we universally have some degree of affinity for and can have some degree of success by lip syncing and lip reading... without any "how to" education. Signing requires education, study and practice to be fluent. Although the speaker and the audience is limited to the learned, signing is a much more confident and accurate, more eloquent and ultimately more desirable form of communication!

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Lipreading - Deaf and Hard of Hearing People Reaing Lips

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jercow75 Apr 9, 2012 @ 1:44 am | delete

I work with a gentleman who is hearing impaired and have just interviewed a staff who can sign and read lips. It is an adjustment for us. I'm still trying to improve my signing ability to better communicate as he has difficulty reading lips.

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sousababy Aug 16, 2011 @ 2:34 am | delete

Where is the purple star for this one?

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sousababy Aug 16, 2011 @ 2:33 am | delete

Since my husband is deaf in one ear . . I DO find it important to look directly at him when speaking. It is important that I understand such things as his tendency to acknowledge what he may not have fully heard . . since he too, wants to appear to have normal hearing. People go to great lengths to hide their disabilities when really, we should be doing more to understand their challenges.

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Serenia Jul 11, 2011 @ 9:17 am | delete

I have featured this lens on my Growing Up deaf lens.

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Sara Mar 12, 2011 @ 8:31 am | delete

Hi, I'm 72 going on 27 but I am having great difficulty in coping with my hearing loss. I wear two hearing aids which are both a help and a hindrance. I'm not too bad at one to one but find it difficult to follow a converstation otherwise. I love attending evening classes at college or university but unless the room has the loop system I can't hear what is being said. I dont sign or lip read and would be happy for advice on the best thing for me to learn, given my age.

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Spook Mar 12, 2011 @ 10:45 am | delete

Many thanks for your comment Sara. I strongly recommend you go for some lip reading lessons, it's actually easy to learn once you know what to look for. Perchance someone at the College can help put you onto someone. Best of luck.

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GrowWear Dec 1, 2010 @ 4:09 pm | delete

As I mentioned in the duel above (don't know if it's going to publish), just the simple act of remembering to look a deaf person straight on is something that will take adjustment, but it's not impossible for any of us to learn to do that.

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Margo_Arrowsmith Nov 11, 2010 @ 7:58 pm | delete

This is so important, thank you for doing it

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SereneSea Nov 8, 2010 @ 11:36 am | delete

I really empathize and feel it how a person can experience when something like this happens. We all have to accept that and not show any signs of helplessness towards it, this way the person who encounters the misfortune will be stronger and evolve himself completely. "To be brave ourselves" and to let others to be stronger, should be our motto. In such cases we can help in whatever little way and should not abandon them, the feeling of loneliness and helplessness thus will diminish slowly.

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sousababy Aug 16, 2011 @ 2:30 am | delete

Well put . . couldn't agree with you more SereneSea.

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dc64 Oct 8, 2010 @ 12:01 pm | delete

I can't imagine how lonely it would be to be deaf. Having to learn another 'language' on top of that would just add to this. Having to lip read for life, with the chance of mis-reading what people are saying, or the rare chance of finding someone who can sign...I don't know, I hope it isn't as lonely as it seems. I guess it wouldn't be if people put themselves in their shoes, or at least tried to, instead of avoiding them because they are different.

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RebeccaE Oct 3, 2010 @ 1:24 pm | delete

this is timely lens, my godchild has hearing problems, and as such also has speaking difficulites ( he is 3) so it is interesting to read about lipreading. But I am trying to learning sign laguage to help him and me communitcate.

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Spook Oct 3, 2010 @ 2:00 pm | delete

I think as far as your godchild is concerned he has to get the best help he can as soon as possible. It's not the end of the world, believe you me.

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Janiece Sep 14, 2010 @ 6:47 am | delete

Very interesting discussion, Spook. I have been teaching my son American Sign Language as one of his homeschool classes, even though he's not hearing impaired. We haven't gotten very far into it yet though. I have a question...how close are the signs from one language to another? In other words, how difficult would it be for a French person to communicate with a Spanish person or an America, using sign language? Do you happen to know? I know sign language isn't the same everywhere, but wasn't sure if they were similar enough that some communication would be possible or not.

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Spook Sep 14, 2010 @ 8:01 am | delete

Janiece, to be quite honest I don't really know as I don't use sign language. The problem comes with watching a film which says it's universal. I do not think so, to the best of my knowledge it isn't. Very interesting question.

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susannaduffy Aug 9, 2010 @ 5:44 pm | delete

I'm not hearing-impaired but many people are, and I come across them often.. In my part of the world AUSLAN is the common sign language and most of us learn it at school

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Spook Sep 14, 2010 @ 7:57 am | delete

That's fascinating to hear.

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nelabai Apr 1, 2010 @ 2:21 pm | delete

Very well done lens, i think sign language is the best and most understandable way to communicate with deaf people. Some people imagine that sign language is very complicated, but actually it isn't. I have a friend who communicates with his deaf family like that and he showed me some sings and we tried to understand each other. Surprisingly some of the sings they use are matching with signs and gestures people with no hearing disability use everyday.

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Joandearc Mar 5, 2010 @ 9:16 pm | delete

Hello Spook!
I am glad that you left a comment on one of my lenses or I may not have ever had the privilege of reading this. I agree completely with what you are saying.

My son has a friend who is deaf. My son only knows a very minimal amount of sign language, as do I. If my son's friend only used sign language, I doubt we would have gotten to know him to the degree in which we do.
I think he learnt to lip read out of necessity rather than anything else, being so young, but if he only knew how to sign there would be many people who would miss out on the opportunity to get to know this wonderful child.
It is like anything, the more skills you have the more adaptable you are to situations.

I'm going to go read some of your other lenses now, you have me interested!

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eclecticeducation Feb 26, 2010 @ 1:09 pm | delete

Interesting debate. I guess I would favor whatever made the deaf person more comfortable. I know I would have trouble with sign language. My fingers just don't seem to want to work very well. I have trouble with the simple alphabet. I hope I am never in a position where it is imperative that I learn it. Blessed by an Angel.

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pkmcr Oct 30, 2009 @ 4:10 am | delete

Great lens and you have been blessed by a Squid Angel

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WeddingZazzle Oct 17, 2009 @ 4:00 am | delete

I was taught to sign the alphabet way back in grade school.... and I still remember it after all these (30 something) years later. I'd like to learn more one day. Great lens.

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oneskms Sep 2, 2009 @ 3:58 pm | delete

Hi Spook, glad I've made time again to visit your lenses (been busy for a while)
This is a great debate, a little off topic but I had what they call 'glue ear' a few years ago and had to have grommets fitted (which cured the problem) so for a while I was very hard of hearing.
During that time I did notice that you take more notice of peoples 'body language' whether that be their lips or gestures (hands especially)
I couldn't make any more of any of these than if I could of heard them properly but I just think it would be nice, as I've said above if everybody knew the basic signs.
As for any stigma involved with signing itself, my point would be that most people gesture with their hands when talking anyway

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Susan52 Aug 15, 2009 @ 10:16 am | delete

This is a great debate. Deafness hasn't touched anyone close to me, so I don't have an opinion based on experience. I image that anyone who was deaf, even if they did learn sign language, would like to know how to lipread. Seems it would make interacting in the community so much easier.

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24websurf Aug 5, 2009 @ 9:00 pm | delete

As I said above, my ex-husband lip-reads. He says it takes too long to sign though he can. He is an owner operator of a business that requires him to give instructions to people who do not sign. I did enjoy this lens and think both sides of the debate have valid points.
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