top of page

Language Deprivation

In America, despite available educational and linguistic support, 70% of children with hearing loss
show signs of language deprivation.

Although ASL is the easiest and most accessible language for d/Deaf people,
over 75% of hearing families with d/Deaf children do not regularly sign with their d/Deaf child. Instead, communication in those homes is spoken and heard.

For the d/Deaf child growing up in that home, lip-reading becomes an essential lifeline.

Unfortunately, only about 40% of spoken English is visible on the lips, which means that d/Deaf people who rely on lip-reading do not have full access to oral communication.

It does not have to be this way, as Dr. Wyatte Hall explains:

This lack of accessible communication can have
lifelong repercussions.

Lack of language access can cause d/Deaf children
to grow into adults who are disabled
by poor language skills, feelings of isolation and depression, and low self-esteem.

Below, Dr. Lori Day explains how language deprivation and trauma often overlap.

(There is no audio in the video)

I highly recommend watching a video by the Nyle DiMarco Foundation for an excellent visualization explaining language deprivation.
Click here to watch.

bottom of page