For years I quoted and supported the remarkable Helen Keller quotes about deafness. I feel differently now.
The two quotes are:
“Blindness cuts us off from things, but deafness cuts us off from people.
and
“The problems of deafness are deeper and more complex, if not more important, than those of blindness. Deafness is a much worse misfortune. For it means the loss of the most vital stimulus — the sound of the voice that brings language sets thoughts astir and keeps us in the intellectual company of man.”
However, I realized that I no longer believe this.
Why I feel differently
A UCLA researcher discovered that most of our communication (55%) is through body language, including facial expressions and the lips. Since only 7% of communication is through words and 38% through tone of voice, if one is blind, they are missing the bulk of how communication is achieved – through sight.
I agree that the tragedy of hearing loss is the disconnect from conversations going on around you. With the deliberate application of what I have coined “CPR,” the person with a hearing loss has the opportunity to take advantage of that 55% visual stimulus that leads to communication and connection. If the person has some hearing, then the vocal inflection can further be of further help.
Those who are completely deaf and cannot communicate except through sign language must see the sign language. The amazing few can interpret sign language through the feeling of their hands, as did Helen Keller.
Helen Keller quotes about deafness in conclusion:
There are several comments on the TED youtube channel hosting my video about hearing loss. Most are about which deficiency is worst – deafness or blindness. The post from B. Velez sums this discussion up beautifully…
I could also go on to write a passionate book on how hearing loss is much, much worse. But thankfully, after a quarter of a century living in this difficult world, I’ve realized that downgrading another person’s struggles is irrelevant. All of our struggles are unique, but in the essence of those struggles difficulties, they are but the same. Therefore, we should all be aware that we are all fighting a battle, and however different, we can help each other in our triumphs. Britni Velez
