thesedeafeyes:

((I’ve been meaning to post this for awhile, but didn’t have a chance to get around to it. Apologies!))

Many people have messaged me, “What’s the difference between ‘Deaf’ and ‘deaf’?”
Here’s the answer/explanation!

‘deaf’ with a little ‘d’ means the individual has an audiological hearing loss. The levels of hearing loss are as follows:
Mild (adult): 26-40 dB 
Mild (child): 20-40
Moderate: 41-55
Moderately Severe: 71-90
Profound: 91 and above

((I’ll post later about how each one of these levels effects the daily functioning of life, and the impact it can have.))

Now, to be ‘Deaf’ with a big ‘D’ is a cultural identification. It means that a deaf person identifies themselves as a member of the Deaf Community.

They take part in Deaf Culture. ((Deaf culture is it’s own culture, not a subculture. It is the same idea of Italian, Chinese, etc.))They use American Sign Language (or some kind of sign- SEE, CASE, Pidgin) as their primary mode of communication, though it is not necessarily their first or native language. They share the same values and traditions. They are proud of themselves as a deaf person, and accept their hearing loss as a part of their person as a whole. (Although they don’t necessarily let it define them completely.)

Not all Deaf people are born deaf or raised in the Deaf Community. Most deaf people are born to hearing parents (approximately 90%).  Only some of those will learn sign language and/or send their children to a deaf school. Many deaf children don’t learn sign language or have exposure to Deaf culture or the community until later in life. Thus you do not have to be born deaf to gain membership to the Deaf Community. (Not that we have membership cards or special jackets. lol)

Also- YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE DEAF TO BE A PART OF THE DEAF COMMUNITY! The Deaf Community is made up of a variety of hearing people as well: interpreters, parents of deaf children, CODAs (child of deaf adult), teachers of the deaf, etc.

Note: If you see the words “for the deaf” it generally means something that was set up by hearing people. “OF the Deaf” is something set up by Deaf people.
Example: Registry of Interpreters FOR the Deaf versus National Association OF the Deaf. 

I hope this makes things clearer. I am deaf (profoundly), but I’m also Deaf. I have friends that identify themselves as deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing impaired. A good number of Deaf people don’t like the term “hearing impaired.” “Impaired” means there is an aspect of you that limits you; Deaf people do not see their hearing loss as a limitation. “Impaired” is seen as associated with a handicap. Deaf see themselves as having a disability, not an impairment. 

In short: ‘deaf’ means you physically cannot hear. ‘Deaf’ is a socio-linguistic and cultural identity and association. 

lml/