Life seems to pass us by without much thought for how lucky we really are. Imagine what it would be like to wake up one morning and be confronted by absolute silence. No ticking clock. No people talking. No dishes clanging. Nothing. Thats the reality that some people live. Now think about how you react to a person once you find out theyre deaf.
People with hearing impairments dont want to be treated as though they are somehow less valuable in the community. Is it normal to be a little nervous communicating with a deaf person for the first time? Sure. Whats important though is realizing that while these people cant hear, they definitely can communicate effectively with you if you give them a chance.
Any form of communication between people is a two way street. It is very important then to determine how a deaf person prefers to communicate. There are a number of options available to them such as sign language, lip reading or using text. There will be a way of making a connection. It may sometimes be difficult or awkward but the effort is well worth it.
If you need to communicate regularly with a deaf person there is no doubt that significant effort is...