Hearing Impairment and Identity

Main Article Content

Robert Hourula
Independent Scholar, Berkeley, California

Keywords

communication, disclosure, identity

Abstract

This study examines the identity of persons with hearing impairments. Participants were solicited from a support group for persons with hearing impairments. An interview methodology was used to qualitatively explore communication and identity. Analysis of data revealed: persons with hearing impairments often minimize hearing loss until adulthood, use various compensatory communication strategies, work hard at receiving and processing information, and are often misunderstood by educators. Implications for researchers, educators and persons with hidden/invisible disabilities are discussed.

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References

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Published
Dec 2, 2014

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 3 No. 1 & 2
Section
Research Articles and Essays

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Author Biography

Robert Hourula, Independent Scholar, Berkeley, California

Robert Hourula can be reached at [email protected]