|
|
By now most everyone is aware of the many social networks available via the Internet. Even for those who don't own a computer, or only use theirs for e-mail and occasional Internet surfing, Google and Facebook have become household words. If you're not on Facebook yet, or some other social networking site, it might be time to ask yourself, "Why not?" Facebook is the largest social networking site, with more than 350 million active users worldwide. It, along with other virtual meeting places, has enabled old and new friends to share and express opinions, likes and dislikes, activities, photos, videos and many other interesting bits of information about themselves. However, because of the nature of the interaction, it's possible to keep other things, like having a hearing loss, private if you want.
Even if you unabashedly announce your hearing status on your home page, cyberspace is one place where hearing loss is not a disability. Facebook and other social networks are revolutionizing relationships. Regardless of hearing ability, people can easily build and maintain relationships with friends and family with whom they would not typically communicate on a regular basis. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH), online social networks have helped to close the gaps that many experience when seeking to communicate in public settings. Social networking Web sites provide a powerful and convenient forum for ongoing communication that does not require hearing. "I find it is much easier to communicate and do not feel at all left out by my hearing loss," says Joyce Conser of Florida. "There are no misheard words and thus no miscommunication. I've also found it is much easier for me to communicate my disability to others when I can just type it out and not have to bring up the topic face to face. And, if the person doesn't relate to my problem, it really doesn't matter since we are typing and not talking."
Many people with hearing loss join social networks because they see how these Web sites allow for the blurring of lines between the hearing and non-hearing worlds. Whether or not they choose to disclose their hearing loss, they can interact in the same way as any other person. This provides an experience of ability, control and independence.
"The playing field is more level," says Cathy Zimmerman of Pennsylvania. "We are equal in that we can think, type, respond and listen by seeing. Online, I no longer get 'those looks' that indicate to me that once again I've replied to the wrong question, changed the subject of the conversation or that my intelligence is being questioned. Others don't have to extend their patience for me, and I don't have to ask them to look at me, speak clearly, pronounce each word distinctly or repeat the message. The frustration is gone. The isolation is alleviated."
Social networks are not without their critics, yet many people are capitalizing on the advantages they provide. A study, conducted by researchers in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media at Michigan State University, suggests that online social networks may be of particular utility for individuals who otherwise have difficulties forming and maintaining both strong and weak ties. Some research has shown, for example, that the Internet might help individuals with low psychological well-being, arising from few ties to friends and neighbors, and that some forms of computer-mediated communication can lower barriers to interaction and encourage more self-disclosure; hence, social networks can enable connections and interactions that would not otherwise occur.
This is especially true for late-deafened individuals who used to be outgoing but now find it difficult to adjust to their hearing loss. Those who once thought nothing of walking up to people and striking up a conversation may have second thoughts about it after a couple of sour experiences where they couldn't hold a conversation like they had in the past.
"I was always a very social person," recalls Amy Saxon Bosworth of Colorado. "As my hearing loss progressed, I disconnected. I wasn't cast out of the hearing world; rather I stepped back into the shadows on my own. Facebook has given me the courage to put myself back out there again. Being able to make a joke or be included in small talk in the cyber world has reaffirmed my sense of self that was shaken over the years as I had become more and more isolated. I get a little sad at times, thinking of all the lost years I spent isolated. The fear of rejection and the struggle of faceto- face communicating scared me away from people. Now that I have a life full of friends online, it's carried over to the real world and I've been pleasantly surprised at how smoothly that transition has gone. Feeling comfortable in my own skin online and allowing myself to get close to people has translated to a much fuller life."
"For those of us who are late deafened and have never really belonged to the 'deaf culture,' the Internet is wonderful," says Elizabeth Lareau Whitcomb. "It provides an arena where we can communicate on a par with everyone else."
Regardless of whether a person has had hearing loss all their life or wasdiagnosed more recently, digital communication is opening the doors to a new era where people with hearing loss have the same opportunities to communicate as hearing people.
"Most D/HH people agree: The Net was made for us!" exults Lorna Schofield of Washington state. "No
misinterpretation of speech (often when this happens, much hilarity ensues). People who don't hear well, even with hearing aids on, are sometimes thought to be 'stupid' and this is one of the biggest challenges to overcome to prove we are not."
Though there are many social networks especially for people with hearing loss, mainstream sites like Facebook also allow people who share the same interests to get closer and share their experiences. Since most users share relevant information in their profiles, it is easier for people who experience the same issues or enjoy the same activities to connect and offer advice, support and guidance.
"Facebook has one of the largest growing deaf communities of any existing social network site," explains Profy.com blogger Leslie Poston. "The deaf community connects on Facebook through groups, causes and shared friend lists. Unlike the much-missed Ringo from 2004, the current crop of Deaf, deaf and hearing impaired oriented sites doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, and that's a good thing. Every group needs a support network and a way to find similar people for resources and friendship."
The consensus is clear: People with hearing loss around the world are joining in on the cyber experience and loving it. If you don't have a profile on a social network yet and are a bit skeptical, take these people's experiences into consideration. Talk to friends who already have profiles and do a little research about which social networking Web site would be the best fit for you. If you've retreated into a shell because of hearing loss, it's time to come out. Friends, old and new, are waiting for you online.
Look Who's on Facebook Now
Deafness Research Foundation (DRF) now has a Facebook fan page, click here to become a fan. Become a fan and receive updates of the latest foundation news and share with others interested in supporting hearing and balance research.Once you're logged in to Facebook, search for Deafness Research Foundation.While you're searching for pages relevant to hearing,try these in the search bar for more Facebook groups:"Leading a good life with my hearing loss," or "My hearing may be damaged but my social skills aren't."Both are Facebook groups sponsored by Hear-it (www.hear-it.org). Other good search terms to till up hundreds of groups are "hearing," "hearing loss" and "deafness."Search results in the new Facebook format separate results into pages, which include Groups and Fan Clubs,the most popular of which also seems to be the most inane like "Stopping the microwave before it hits 0:00 to avoid hearing the 'BEEPs'," with 1.4 million fans. Be sure to click on the small link at the bottom for more search results.
Does It Have to Be Facebook?
In a word, no. Facebook is an all-encompassing social networking site, but you can also join social networks that revolve around specific interests, such as religion, hobbies,sports and more. These smaller networking site scan be more welcoming to the newcomer, with people literally waiting for you to join so they can befriend you.Members may not post as frequently, but the conversations on these sites can be quite stimulating.Search Wikipedia.org for "list of social networks" to find more than a hundred networks. But that's nothing log onto http://theningdirectory.ning.com/profiles/members and check out the more than 2,400 social networks hosted through Ning.
Here's a random list of social networks you might never have imagined existed. Find them online by searching their names in a popular search engine, and just know there's a whole lot more where this came from.
Couch Surfing 1.5 million members looking for a couch to sleep on
Frhstckstreff 14,000 members who eat breakfast together in European and Australian cities
Live Mocha 3 million members all learning a language online
Open Diary 5 million members and described by its founder as "the first Web site that brought online diary writers together into a community."
Ravelry 300,000 knitters and crocheters
Vampire Freaks almost 2 million gothic and industrial subculture "freaks"
Wakoopa 300,000 people on the lookout for new software and online games
SayWhatClub an online group of about 400 late-deafened, hard of hearing and deaf adults and other interested folks who provide support and encouragement to each other through e-mail, as well as convene face-to-face once a year.
