Rude behavior towards a deaf person often involves disrespecting communication needs: interrupting signs, avoiding eye contact, touching inappropriately, using offensive language (like "deaf and dumb"), making assumptions about their abilities, speaking loudly or slowly, ignoring subtitles, or asking intrusive questions about their hearing loss; instead, maintain eye contact, use appropriate touch to get attention (light touch on arm), be direct, and respect their preferred communication method (signing, writing, lip-reading).
The use of facial expressions in Sign Language are mandatory
This is offensive. Similarly, it is considered incredibly rude to grab a deaf person's hands while they are signing. In the deaf community, this is the equivalent of holding your hand over someone's mouth to prevent them from speaking.
Charlie Swinbourne: Ten things you should never say to a deaf person
These include not getting the attention of the person you want to speak with before starting to communicate, interrupting someone who is signing, speaking without making an effort to communicate in a way that is accessible to deaf individuals (such as not using gestures or writing), and not maintaining eye contact ...
If you start talking louder at someone with hearing loss, it may appear to them like you're shouting at them. Shouting can also hurt the person's ears. Even with hearing loss, ears are sensitive to certain sounds at certain decibels for some individuals.
Tap lightly. If you're close enough to the D/deaf person, then lightly tap them on the shoulder to get their attention. You should never tap a D/deaf person on the back because this will most likely startle them and no one wants to be unexpectedly touched.
Wave your hand in their line of sight. This is how Deaf people get the attention of one another. Tap them lightly on the shoulder. If they have their back turned away from you, get the attention of somebody in their line of sight, and have that person point at you.
Deaf community norms include: Maintaining eye contact. Being blunt and direct, whether in description or opinion. Waving, tapping the shoulder, stamping on the floor, banging on the table, and turning the lights on and off to get someone's attention.
In American Sign Language (ASL), the sign for "bitch" uses a specific hand gesture. You form the letter "B" with your dominant hand. Place it against your chin, then move it outward. This sign is offensive and derogatory, like in spoken English.
It isn't customary to walk up behind a Deaf person and grab, poke, or slap him or her on the back. Doing so isn't necessarily offensive, but that action is used as more of a warning that something is wrong or that there's an emergency. Waving: Wave your hand in your Deaf friend's peripheral vision field.
7 top tips for communicating with deaf people
Unlike the hearing population, Deaf individuals often don't have immediate access to verbal communication or written materials that are tailored to their needs. This gap in communication leads to feelings of isolation and exclusion, which can significantly contribute to mental health struggles.
Facial expressions, eyes, and lips play a key role. Another useful thing to know is that when you meet a deaf person, you shouldn't shout to get their attention. Instead, try to wave or even tap on their shoulder – this is a common practice for deaf people.
Pointing is not considered rude in deaf culture. Pointing to objects, pointing directions or pointing to a person are effective ways to communicate and direct attention.
Hearing Impaired
This term is considered highly offensive. Just as "deaf-mute" and "deaf and dumb" are inappropriate labels, "hearing impaired" is an outdated way to collectively label people with any level of hearing loss.
To sign "Jerk" in American Sign Language (ASL), make an "F"handshape with your dominant hand. Place it in front of you, fingers pointing forward. Then, quickly move your hand a bit forward.
Dirty. Put your hand under your chin and wiggle your fingers. It's like food is dripping off your chin. Dirty.
Nine things not to say to a deaf person
I had to compile a list of questions/comments you should never say to a deaf person:
How to communicate with someone who is deaf or has hearing loss
The best way to get their attention is to walk up to them and tap them on the shoulder, or you could flash the lights in the room on and off, not like a strobe light, but once or twice should suffice in getting their attention.
Start the conversation respectfully
Before starting a conversation, attract my attention in a respectful way. Wave or tap me gently – or use another visual signal to start our interaction,” says Ambrose. “When the conversation begins, always address the Deaf person directly, not their interpreter.
Simply because someone has a hearing problem does not automatically mean that they're deaf and saying something like “are you deaf?!” is never a good idea. Hearing problems are tough enough to begin with without having any added social ridicule added to the mix.