2003

March

Deafness

Deafness, broken down into the simplest definiton, is the inability to hear. Sometimes people affected with this disability cannot talk and are referred to as being "mute". Hearing aids can be used to help those with minor hearing problems, but do not work in all cases. There are those that do not completely understand the cause and effect of deafness, which creaths many myths. The following is one of the most misunderstood.
Can Deafness Be Hereditary?
"In 1998, a Defeating Deafness team became the first to identify mutations in a gene called Connexin-26, a mutation found in 10% of European families with a single child affected by non-syndromal sensorineural deafness. The discovery of this gene marked the beginning of an important new phase in our understanding of inherited hearing loss, leading to the identification of many of the genes responsible for common forms of hearing loss.
With support from the National Lottery Charities Board, Defeating Deafness researchers are currently carrying out a major new study of the genes which cause childhood deafness. The research team is analysing the genetic structure of over 200 families for mistakes or mutations in a number of recently identified genes responsible for hearing, with the aim of helping to determine the chances of parents giving birth to deaf children. The project represents an important step forward in the development of a national strategy for genetic testing and will help determine future priorities for research into the isolation of deafness genes."
Source: Defeating Deafness. "Genetics and deafness" http://www.defeatingdeafness.org/?lid=27 (March 2003).
More Facts and Myths about people with deafness.
The universal form of communication between deaf and hard of hearing indivuals is sign language in which you use your hands and facial expressions to communicate.
Click here to go to the online signlanguage dictionary that is ©2000 Michigan State University Communication Technology Laboratory.

Tinnitus (to learn more about Tinnitus)
hearing health dictionary (to learn more about appliances, etc. used to aid those with hearing disabilities.)
The following link is geared towards young children, and is a story of four deaf children. Click here.
The following link is geared towards yound children, and is called How Deaf People Communicate.
Be sure to check out our deafness links page to find links to websites on which you can find more information about deafness.