Frequently Asked Questions

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Can Deaf people read lips?

Lip-reading involves a high proportion of guesswork and instant mental reply. Only around 30% of all spoken sounds are visible on the lips. Many sounds, like "b," "p," and "m", are virtually impossible to distinguish by watching the mouth. Like for e.g. "blue" and "blew?" They look and sound identical. A stranger, whose speech patterns are unfamiliar to the lip reader, may be more recognisable with family members or close friends.

How do Deaf people learn to read lips?

Some Deaf people can read lips well however only 30% of sounds can be seen on the lips. That means 70% of the sounds are guessed through lip reading. Try lip reading a language you have never heard, and you will find the
frustration level is enormous! That is why sign languages are so wonderful.

A Deaf person who signs, amongst other people who also sign, is not handicapped. If every hearing person could sign, deafness would not be classified as a "disability". Deaf people are just as intelligent and as capable as any hearing person.

What are some things deaf people can hear?

The technical definition of being deaf is a person who cannot hear 85 DB or louder. That means that Deaf people with profound deafness could possibly hear a jet plane or loud band music at nightclubs or rock concert. Deaf enjoy rock because they can hear or at least feel the vibrations. Some Deaf people with really powerful hearing aids and have an 85 DB or better hearing level can hear some sounds that are at the top of the speech threshold. This is due to the frequency of the different sounds that can be paired with what they see on lips. For some deaf and hard of hearing people hearing aids don't help with the type of loss that they have.

How do Deaf people know when their baby cries?

They use a baby monitor vibration alarm that vibrates with a flashing light in the bed or pillow to wake them up. Some Deaf people have a "hearing dog" who are trained to alert the owner when the baby is crying.

Hearing aids?

What causes deafness?

There are multiple things that can cause someone to be born, or become, Deaf. These include wax, excess mucus, drugs, ear infections, illness and aging.

• Foreign objects, such hairpins, which are pushed too far into the ear canal.
• Explosions, which cause an abrupt and very big change in the air pressure, which can cause an eardrum to tear.
• Car accidents, fights, and sporting injuries.

Can Deaf people talk?

Yes and no. Some deaf people talk while other deaf people do not.

Do all Deaf people use sign language?

No. Many deaf people choose not to use sign language, or they were raised without using sign language.

Can Deaf people use the phone?

Yes. They can use the telephone with a special device called a TTY. Today more deaf people are using the
Internet to make calls with the help of relay services. If you are hearing, you can use a TTY or a relay service to call a deaf person (link to TTY, relays).

For more information about National Relay Service see website – www.relayservice.com.au

Why do Deaf people use an interpreter?

• Good communication with client is essential for this duty to be fulfilled.
• The rights to be given a clear explanation of the situation and to be understood.
• Reduces stress to both parties.
• Prevention of mistakes.
• Avoiding embarrassment.

Who is Sign Language Communications (SLC)?

Sign Language Communications is a national interpreter booking system that is run by the deaf societies of each state. SLC uses only the best professional interpreters. Select this link for more information.

What is the difference between Makaton and Auslan?

Australian Sign Language (Auslan) is the language of the Australian Deaf Community. Auslan is a visual and
spatial language that has its own grammar, structure and of precise hand shapes, facial expressions and body movements that can convey both concrete and abstract information.

Auslan is a community language that recognised by Australia's National Policy Language.

Makaton is very basic signing for people with intellectual disabilities, autism and other limited communication. Makaton has some of Auslan signs, however it is not a language because it does not contain structure and
grammar.

Where can I get a telephone with a volume dial or a special telephone for a Deaf person?

There are different types of telephones for Deaf people, depending their hearing range. You can call or email the below for more information:
ACE Captioned Telephone
Phone 1300 107 546
E:mail info@aceinfo.net.au
Or National Relay Service
Phone 1800555660
Email helpdesk@relayservice.com.au
Website www.relay.service.com.au

What is a hearing dog and what do they do?

Lions Hearing Dogs is a not-for-profit organisation that provides hearing dogs and training to assist hearing
impaired people throughout Australia.

Hearing dogs alert their owners to sounds in the home by touching the owner with a paw—things like knocks on the door, a baby crying or the phone ringing. Most importantly, hearing dogs alert their owners to life-saving sounds like smoke alarms.

For more information about Lions Hearing Dogs:
They are based in Adelaide only.
Phone 0883887836
Website http://hearingdogs.asn.au/contact-us/

My friend is Deaf, where can I find flashing door bells or other alarm technologies?

You can go to this technology websites or contact:
Phone 131 797                 Australian Hearing         www.hearing.com.au
Phone 03 9761 2211         Word of Mouth              www.wom.com.au
Phone 07 3852 4622         Phoenix Hearing            www.phoenixhearing.com.au
Phone 07 54510199          Deaf Quip                      www.deafquip.com.au

Do Deaf people drive?

Yes they do! Deaf people are aware they may miss sirens so they are more observant. Deaf people are required to have 3 mirrors while driving a vehicle, two outside mirrors and one inside mirror to look out for sirens, cars and pedestrians. Also Deaf people can ride on motorcycles, too!

What if a person loses their hearing from an accident, illness, aging, how do we assist them?

They can feel isolated as they are used to a hearing world. There is an organisation called Better Hearing
Australia. They have a number of programs to assist people with a hearing loss people. If you need more
Information, please contact Better Hearing Australia 07 3844 5065 or email bhabris@gil.com.au

How do Deaf people feel about being Deaf?

Deaf people are feeling no problems at all and its okay because they can do anything a hearing person can do, and usually they can do it better (except hear, of course).

Can Deaf people hear music?

Some deaf people cannot hear the lyrics in a song, and then some can. Most people who are profoundly deaf can still enjoy music and dance because they can feel the music vibrations. Because of this, many deaf people like their music really loud!

Where and how can I learn sign language?

Learning sign language takes time. You cannot learn it in five minutes or overnight. To pick up enough signs for basic communication and to sign them comfortably, it can take one or two years. Be patient and you will succeed in learning the language!

You can learn sign language at location throughout Queensland in any of Deaf Services Queensland's eight week courses. Please see www.deafservicesqld.org.au/sign_language_classes

What is Auslan?

Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is the recognised language of the Australian Deaf Community. It is a visual spatial language represented through hand movements known as “signs”, facial expression and body language.

Auslan is not a universal language. 

What is Deafness Awareness Training?

Deafness Awareness Training is learning resources for services providers, educators, students, and anyone with an interest in the Deaf Community. Learn about Deaf culture and how to communicate with Deaf people.

Who can I contact for Deafness Awareness Training?

You can find from our website at www.deafservicesqld.org.au/deafness_awarness_training.

If you need more information contact us on 38928500 or email dat@deafsq.org.au.

I heard about cinemas have open and closed captions.  What is the difference?

Closed Captions
Closed captioning is set by a decoder that's built in.  Captioning can be turned on or off by the viewer.

Open Captions
Open captions show the same text as closed captions, but the captions are always on the screen and cannot be turned off. Open captioning is when captions automatically appear on the cinema screen.

With closed captioning, the viewer has the responsibility to figure out how to turn on captions. For video content, some viewers prefer to have their video products contain open captioning.

If you are going to a closed caption cinema - ask one of the cinema staff to see if they can provide a small LED device (see photo display). Cinema staff will give one to you and you simply turn on the captions (not from at the cinema screen).  You then read the captions from your tablet whilst looking at the cinema screen at the same time. 

The CaptiView system consists of a small LED display on a bendable support arm that fits into the theatre seat cup holder. The easy to read screen is equipped with a high contrast display that comes with a privacy visor so it can be positioned directly in front of the movie patron at the base of the screen image.