Since I've been on a writing kick lately might as well have a personal post to break it up. Especially with summer coming up (which means I will be without my assistive technology for around a month) I thought I'd explain a little bit about the importance of Sign Language and how it can be helpful for not only people with hearing loss but also other conditions that impact speech and hearing.
Currently my hearing is on a semi steady downwards slope, progressive hearing loss though my left ear gets worse faster than the right. There is also a near 100% chance I have Auditory Neuropathy or AN. Due to the complex of AN and how the severity can change depending on the day as well as having Moderatly Severe hearing loss in one ear and Mild to Moderate in the other I end up relying heavily on sign language. ASL gives me a way to access the world in ways that with speech alone I would have trouble navigating or be unable to access. A girl in my special education Programme had APD or Auditory Processing Disorder and my interpreter has taught her simple signs to clarify directions, her attentiveness has improved drastically.
Sign language is not only benificial for people with hearing and processing issues but for those with speech issues as well. For example a boy in my class in very shy and selectively mute, he can and sometimes does speak, but prefers to use Signs or stay silent. If someone is recovering from a stroke and their speech is affected but their Moter coordination is alright, it gives them a way to communicate. Senior citizens often experience a combination of these problems with hearing and speech, knowing at least the alphabet would solve a portion of the problem.
In conclusion Sign Language is a good skill to know, as it can be used for a variety of reason with a variety of diverse groups of people.
Until Next Time,
Max
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