National Deaf Awareness Month/Healthy Aging Month

The month of September highlights Deaf Awareness and Healthy Aging. It’s a time to learn and raise awareness of the culture and history of the Deaf community while continuing to advocate for the rights of Deaf people, while also reflecting on better habits that you can start to incorporate into your routines as you age. 

Here are some interesting facts about the Deaf community:

• Sign language is NOT universal. This language is established within communities, like spoken language in other communities. It consists of its own style of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. 
• There are over 200 signed languages in the world.
• Signed languages were created by Deaf people, so there aren’t similarities between them. For example, American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) each have their own distinct signs, even though Americans and British people speak the same language.
• ASL is the main sign language used in North America. 
• There’s an International Sign language that was established by Deaf people to communicate on a universal level. For example, it can be used during meetings at the United Nations.

If you want to learn sign language, you should always get lessons from a Deaf teacher. The center of Deaf culture and community is sign language. Deaf people are experts in their own language, therefore students should consult them so that they can be paid for their work. Deaf people have historically been stigmatized and discriminated against by the hearing society for being deaf and using sign language, so if hearing teachers take Deaf jobs and profit from teaching would be considered cultural appropriation.   

Healthy Aging 

No matter what age you are, it’s never too late to pick up healthier habits. This will help you out in the long term.  

• Try out a new form of exercise or physical activity. Simple exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga can be relaxing and fun. It can relieve stress and release endorphins, which are excellent for your mental health.  
• Socialize with more people. The key to a long and happy life is socializing. Find things that you love and volunteer, join some clubs, or take a class. Have regular meet-ups over a meal.  
• Keep a positive attitude. The most important thing you can do is to always think positively. Make positive and lasting changes to better yourself. This will help build a happier and healthier life for your future.  
• Schedule annual checkups for your hearing and overall health. If you experience hearing loss and wear hearing aids, these devices can reduce the risk of falls, lower your levels of depression by making socializing easier, and reduce or slow down the risks of Alzheimer’s or dementia.  

Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation with one of our hearing aid providers. 

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