Deafness for Dummies

Hey there! So, "deafness" is a word we use to describe when someone can't hear. It's kind of like when you're at a loud concert and you can't hear the person next to you. But for someone who is deaf, it's like that all the time. They might be able to hear a little bit with the help of hearing aids or cochlear implants, but they still have a hard time hearing.

Deafness can happen for different reasons. Some people are born deaf, which means they can't hear from the time they are born. Others might become deaf because of an illness or an injury. Some people might even lose their hearing as they get older.

When we talk about deafness, we're also talking about a whole community of people who use sign language to communicate. Sign language is like speaking with your hands instead of your voice. It's a really cool way for people who are deaf to connect with each other and with people who can hear, too.

So, in short, "deafness" is when someone can't hear very well or at all, and it can be from birth or happen later in life. And it's also about a community of awesome people who communicate using sign language. Does that make sense? Let me know if you have any questions!