Thread by @DisabledTimes

Okie dokie lads, it's deaf awareness week, and I am deaf so I guess now is the time for your questions. I'll do a quick FAQ:

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There is a difference between D/deaf and HoH. Deaf (cap D) is the people within the community who often can sign. deaf (small d) is people who have significant hearing loss but aren't in the community. HoH is hard of hearing, and these are people with hearing loss. 2/9

I'm deaf (small d) because I have significant hearing loss and how I identify, I may not, however be deaf 'enough' to be deaf, but as I only know hearing people, it is easier for me to emphasise the level of hearing loss. 3/9

I am severely deaf - the scale goes mild, moderate, severe and profound. My own hearing hasn't changed since I was born, but when I have age related hearing loss, I'll definitely become profoundly deaf. 4/9

No one knows why I'm deaf, it doesn't run in the family, though we do have members who are HoH, because of age or illnesses. I use hearing aids because my nerve endings were never fully formed, so cochlear implants won't work on me - I'd have to wear hearing aids as well. 5/9

I'm in the UK, so I get my hearing aids on the NHS, but this also means my hearing aids are out of date and need replacing/upgrading. Unfortunately, newly diagnosed people (i.e. old) get priority, so I have to struggle at work with my underperforming hearing aids 6/9

Hearing aids cost thousands of pounds, so I am unable to purchase my own, especially as I'm deaf in both ears.

One ear is slightly better than the other, but by a marginal amount! This makes no difference to me, I don't prefer a side, both are shit 😂

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I don't know any sign language, because when I was diagnosed (at 3), the view was that deaf kids need to assimilate into hearing society, so I never learnt to sign, and neither did my family. If I learnt now, I'd have no one to speak to or practice with 8/9

I think this is it for now, but ask away and I'll probably make more threads as the week goes on!

No question is too silly or obvious! 🥰

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@threadreaderapp unroll please! :)