When someone is diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing (HOH), there are many different schools of thought on the approach to language. This is one of the first things that really surprised me. I didn’t know there were so many options and opinions out there! Just like anything with several options/opinions, there are groups with strong opinions one way or the other. The way I see it, there is no “one size fits all” choice. People just need to choose the path that fits best for them and their family (or even create your own path if that’s what fits best for you!).
There are four main communication options available to people and families who have a diagnosis of hearing loss:
1. Listening and Spoken Language (LSL)
Learning to listen and talk with the assistance of hearing technology
2. Cued Speech
Using hand shapes to represent various sounds of speech. This is typically used along with lipreading and can also be a good supplement to those who may not be able to completely learn to listen and speak with hearing technology.
3. Sign Language (ASL)
Manual communication through hand gestures and facial expressions. This is taught as the primary language. This is the method preferred by the Deaf community. [Did you know that ASL is its own language with its own grammar and syntax?]
4. Total Communication (TC)
TC is a blend of sign language, speech, finger spelling, lipreading, and use of hearing technology. Many times these things can happen at the same time. Because English and ASL have different grammar and syntax, this may lead to ungrammatical use of either language.
It is important to note that each of these communication options are all valid. Each family will make their decision as to which path to follow based on their own situation and their own desires. After some discussion, we made the decision that we wanted to raise Ike in a Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) home. We made this decision for several reasons.
Why We Chose The LSL Lifestyle
1. Ike was identified as deaf/HOH early.
Early intervention makes it much easier for children to learn to listen and speak because the foundation for language development is laid within the first few years of life.
2. With the technology available to us, we are able to help him access sound.
Technology is amazing. Because of companies like Phonak and Cochlear, Ike is able to access sound using technology that either amplifies sound (hearing aid) or directly stimulates the auditory nerve (cochlear implant).
3. We wanted to give him access to every opportunity in the future.
With that said, we do intend on learning sign language (and have started on some level) as a second language. We ultimately believe that being bilingual will only be helpful for Ike and our family (and for anyone for that matter). We also want to give Ike the opportunity to interact with others who are also deaf or hard of hearing, who have made the decision to sign as their primary language. Learning sign language as a second language will (in our minds) also give him the opportunity to make the decision for himself when he is grown whether he wants to listen and speak or to sign.
4. We wanted him to be able to communicate with his family and friends easily and seamlessly.
Of course, our family and extended family will love Ike no matter which decision we would have made. Let’s face it though, any person who speaks a different language than those around them can feel isolated at times. Since our family has no history of hearing loss whatsoever, there is no one who knows or understands sign language. True, if we decided to sign or use cued speech, our family members would work to learn it. However, the reality is most would not become fluent and major barriers in communication would exist.
Ultimately, because of these reasons, we decided that if we had the opportunity for Ike to learn to listen and speak the same way all his loved ones did, and be able to communicate efficiently and effectively with those around him, we wanted to give him that chance. With all the different choices out there, it is important to recognize and understand the decision that is best for you and your family might be different from what is best for our family. And that is okay!