Hearing Loss Support Groups Washington DC

Members of the hearing world often group deaf and hard of hearing persons into one category. The frequency with which the term "deaf and hard of hearing" appears in the popular press attests to this conglomeration. In reality, there are several groups included within the broad "deaf and hard of hearing" category, and the various groups have distinctly different characteristics.

The broadest term is hearing impaired , which refers to anyone with a hearing loss.

Hard of hearing people comprise over 90% of all people with hearing loss.

Late deafened people are those who became deafened after acquiring language.

Culturally Deaf people are those who are born deaf or became deafened early in life and rely primarily on sign language for communication.

Oral Deaf people are those who are born deaf or became deafened early in life and rely primarily on oral communications rather than sign language.

"Hearing Impaired" is a Generic Term

This term refers to all people with hearing loss. It includes hard of hearing people, late deafened people, and Culturally Deaf people, without regard for the severity of loss, age of onset, communication methods, use of technology, or cultural affiliation.

Culturally Deaf generally dislike this term, while Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened people generally like it, or even prefer it!

Hard of Hearing People

The vast majority of people with hearing loss consider themselves hard of hearing. Their hearing loss ranges from mild to profound, but they consider themselves to be hearing people who just don't hear well. They may have a difficult time admitting that they have a hearing loss and may try to hide it. The vast majority of people who are hard of hearing have not yet taken any action to help them deal with their hearing loss. 

Hard of hearing people generally have the following characteristics:

- Have some degree of audiological hearing loss, from mild to profound.

- Can benefit to some extent from the use of hearing aids and assistive listening devices (ALDs)

- Rely primarily on spoken or written English for communication with others

- Generally know no or very little sign language

- Function in the hearing world in all aspects of their lives (friends, relatives, employment)

- Are uninvolved in the Culturally Deaf community.

- May or may not have taken steps to deal with their hearing loss (audiological assessment, use of hearing aids, etc.)

Late Deafened People

The dividing line between hard of hearing people and late-deafened people is pretty fuzzy, and there is considerable overlap between the groups. People who consider themselves late-deafened generally have a more severe hearing loss than people who consider themselves hard of hearing, and the hearing loss may have had a greater impact on their life. People who consider themselves late-deafened are more likely than those who...

The SayWhatClub is an on-line group of several hundred late-deafened and hard of hearing and other interested folks who provide support and encouragement to each other through e-mail. Our goal is to provide a friendly, good-humored place to exchange conversation, information, advice, deep thoughts, humor, tall tales, and chit chat. It is our hope that members will get to know each other and develop an on-line "community feeling."

We are scattered worldwide and depend on electronic mail and the Internet to communicate with one another. The SayWhatClub is international, with members living in Switzerland, Sweden, South Africa, Israel, Denmark, England, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Canada, Italy, and the United States. We ask members to keep in mind that our backgrounds, skills, religious convictions, outlooks on life, hearing, signing, lip-reading, and typing abilities vary greatly, and, therefore, to please be tolerant, and patient.

One member describes her feelings about the SayWhatClub.....:
"I sat in silent isolation all alone, wishing for an understanding friend; then I found the SayWhatClub and now I have friends without end!"

Another member posted:
"I just want you to know that I have had one real benefit from losing most of my hearing: meeting a bunch of people like you who don't mind telling it like it is."

Another member said this:
"A year ago I lost my job. I had been with the SWC for nearly a year at that time, and knew I could turn to them in the coming months to vent my anger, frustrations and everything else I went through while learning to cope with this new situation. It is the only place I had where I could express my feelings freely. This Club is unique."

Yet another member said:
"I have decided this is a permanent community in my life. SWC offers a place for me to be human. I don't have to be perfect here, nor does anyone else. We come here with deep pain and many struggles. I think SWC is a good place to learn to trust again when we've been kicked by others because of hearing loss or deafness. That takes time and I figure it's up to me and every other person to make that choice."

And one more:
"Over the ten years or so that the SWC has been chugging along, I've seen its function as multiple. It is a source of information and advice, drawing upon a group of very reso...