The differences between Deaf people

Deaf people are not all the same, some deaf people will choose to use speech and some will use sign language.  The majority of deaf people will use subtitles, speech to text, textphones and environmental aids.

Different languages/communication used by deaf people.

Those who use speech/understand written language will use:

•    Amplification
•    Lipreading
•    Speech to Text

Those who use sign language will always use a British Sign Language Interpreter.

How common is deafness

It is difficult to get an accurate picture but it is estimated that the total population of the UK is around 60 million.  Within this figure there are:

•    9 million deaf people
•    Approx. 8.3 million are hard of hearing
•    6.5 million deaf or hard of hearing are aged over 60
•    123,000 are deafened
•    50,000 use British Sign Language
•    23,000 children (0-15) wear hearing aids
•    Over 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents
•    24,000 deafblind people