Communication Options for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Topics: Help for Hearing Loss
Most people communicate with each other by listening, speaking and writing. This is also true of the majority of people who have a hearing loss.
Children identified with hearing loss can learn to communicate using a number of different methods, of which sign language is just one option. Many people do not know that children who are deaf or hard of hearing, with the help of hearing aids or cochlear implants and early intervention, can learn to listen and talk.
- Auditory/Oral Method
- Auditory-Verbal Method
- Cued Speech Method
- American Sign Language (Bilingual/Bicultural)
- Total Communication Method
The auditory/oral, Auditory-Verbal and cued speech methods all make up a larger spoken language approach to communicating. For information about educational programming for children pursuing forms of manual communication, (i.e., Bilingual-Bicultural or Total Communication), contact the National Association of the Deaf or the American Society for Deaf Children.
Related Resources
Reprinted with the permission of the Alexander Graham Bell Association. © 2005 Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
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