'The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper' (WB Yeats): enhancing resilience among deaf young people in South Africa through photography and filmmaking

"I Have a Dream and I Wish it Would Come True"

Deaf Bedouin young women in Israel experience marginalization, discrimination, and institutional neglect, which, coupled with the traditions of Bedouin society, pose a complex challenge to social inclusion. This qualitative study of 14 deaf Bedouin young women, using a semi-structured questionnaire, found that instead of providing support, their socio-ethnic affiliation is a source of suffering, whereas their deaf identity and their belonging to the deaf community are sources of strength and self-esteem. The study's contribution is that it presents the unique story of deaf Bedouin young women and reveals how belonging to the deaf community helps them to accept their deafness as uniqueness rather than as a disability and enables them to hold on to their dreams of higher education, obtaining rewarding work, and marrying and raising a family.

Exploring the lived experiences of British Sign Language (BSL) users who access NHS adult hearing aid clinics: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the lived experiences of culturally Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users who access adult hearing aid services.

DESIGN

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted in BSL by the Deaf researcher and analysed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach.

STUDY SAMPLE

Eight Deaf BSL expert informants who were experienced users of NHS adult hearing aid clinics.

RESULTS

Participants expressed dissatisfaction about audiology staff's lack of Deaf awareness and did not feel valued as Deaf signers. Participants' motivations for hearing aid use primarily concerned audibility rather than speech. Mismatch of perspectives on 'hearing' between audiologists and Deaf patients are discussed in the context of culturally sensitive services. Inadequate or uncertain linguistic access during appointments is considered in light of patient agency.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to explore culturally Deaf signers' specific experiences of adult hearing aid services in the UK and their experiences of hearing aids. There are numerous reasons why Deaf signers wear hearing aids, but access to spoken language is not a priority. Limited Deaf awareness and cultural competence in adult hearing aid services can result in patient frustration and disempowerment. Suggestions for improvement in the Deaf signing patient experience are offered.