Deaf & hard of hearing
Your language, your culture, your way of connecting. You deserve care that meets you there.
By the numbers
How many people are Deaf or hard of hearing.
United States
World
Deaf, deaf & hard of hearing
Many ways to be, and many ways to communicate.
About 15% of American adults (37.5 million) report some trouble hearing. Some people were born Deaf and use American Sign Language (ASL) as their first language. Others lose hearing later in life and may use hearing aids, captions or lip-reading.
Many people who are Deaf see themselves as part of a cultural and language community, not as having something “missing.” The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) describes deaf and hard-of-hearing people as a cultural and linguistic minority with a right to barrier-free health and mental health care.
Words people use (ask each person what they prefer)
- DeafBlind: people with both hearing and vision loss, who may use tactile signing
- “Deaf” with a capital D: often used by people who share Deaf culture and sign language
- Hard of hearing: people with some hearing loss, who may use speech and hearing technology
- Late-deafened: people who lost hearing as teens or adults
Communication access
When information is not shared in a way you can use.
Much of daily life is built for hearing people: announcements, phone calls, meetings, family dinners. Missing what is being said, again and again, is tiring and can leave a person feeling left out.
Read more
- Asking the person what works best for them
- Captions on videos and live events
- People facing you, speaking clearly, and not covering their mouths
- Qualified sign language interpreters
- Text, email or video options instead of phone-only contact
Read more
Lip-reading, straining to hear, or watching an interpreter for hours uses a lot of energy. Many people feel worn out by the end of the day, and that tiredness can affect mood.
What can help
- Take short breaks from conversation or screens
- Ask for written agendas or notes before meetings
- Choose quieter places to meet friends
- Let others know when you are tired and need a pause
Read more
Masks hide lips and faces. Noisy restaurants drown out speech. Phone-only services can lock people out. These small barriers, day after day, can leave someone feeling shut out of ordinary life.
What can help
- Ask services for text, email or video relay options
- Use captioning apps on your phone
- Ask people to write or type if needed
Isolation & the dinner table
Feeling cut off when others don’t share your language.
Many Deaf people describe the “dinner table” experience: sitting with family while conversations happen around them. Isolation can also happen when family members never learn to sign, when a workplace has no Deaf coworkers, or when someone loses hearing later and slowly pulls away from social life.
The World Health Organization lists social isolation, loneliness and stigma among the effects of hearing loss that isn’t addressed. Over time, loneliness can weigh on mood and health.
What can help
- Deaf clubs, Deaf community events and ASL meetups
- Family members learning sign language together
- Hearing loss support groups for people who lost hearing later
- Online Deaf communities and video chat
Deaf culture & community
A rich language, art, humor and shared history.
ASL is a full language with its own grammar, poetry, storytelling and humor. Deaf culture has its own traditions, schools, sports, theater and values, like direct communication and strong community ties.
A strong Deaf identity and sense of belonging can protect mental health. Having full access to language from early childhood helps build healthy identity and self-esteem.
Read more
- Deaf clubs and community centers
- Deaf sports, theater and arts events
- Deaf schools’ alumni and community events
- Online groups and video meetups
Read more
- Get to know Deaf culture from Deaf people themselves
- Include Deaf people in planning, not just in the event
- Learn some sign language, and keep learning
Losing hearing later in life
Adjusting, grieving and staying connected.
Hearing loss becomes more common with age. In the U.S., 22% of people aged 65–74 and 55% of those 75 and older have disabling hearing loss. Yet fewer than 1 in 3 adults aged 70 and older who could benefit from hearing aids have ever used them.
Read more
Losing hearing as an adult can bring grief, frustration and embarrassment. Some people start skipping gatherings because keeping up feels too hard. These feelings are normal, and they deserve support.
What can help
- Tell people what helps you, like facing you and speaking clearly
- Ask a hearing professional about hearing technology and captioning
- Keep going to the things you love, with adjustments
Read more
WHO notes that hearing loss that isn’t addressed is linked to an increased risk of dementia and faster decline in thinking skills, as well as isolation and loneliness.
Read more
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) offers education, support and local chapters for people with hearing loss and their families.
Families & Deaf children
Language from the start, and a family everyone can join.
More than 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents. Many parents have never met a Deaf adult before. It is normal to feel unsure, and there is a lot of support available.
What can help families
- Connecting with Deaf adults and other families of Deaf children
- Making sure your child has full access to language early, in whatever form your family chooses
- Learning sign language together as a family
- Making sure family gatherings include your child in conversation
Therapy in your language
Counseling works best when you can talk freely.
Counseling depends on small details: tone, meaning and the exact words a person chooses. NAD says direct mental health services from specially trained providers are best. When that is not possible, or the person prefers it, providers should work with qualified interpreters who have mental health training.
Read more
- Can we meet by video (telehealth)?
- Do you sign, or have you worked with Deaf clients before?
- Do you use qualified mental health interpreters?
- How do you protect privacy if the interpreter is someone I know?
Read more
In small communities you may already know the local interpreters. NAD calls for strict confidentiality for this reason.
Your right to communication access
What the ADA says about interpreters and captions.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local governments, and businesses and nonprofits that serve the public, must provide aids and services when needed to communicate effectively. These include qualified sign language interpreters and real-time captioning.
Good to know
- A child should not be asked to interpret, except in an emergency when no qualified interpreter is available
- Services may ask for reasonable notice, but should help walk-in requests where possible
- They cannot require you to bring your own interpreter
How to include & support
For family, friends, coworkers and teachers.
Ways to help
- Ask how they prefer to communicate, and follow their lead.
- Face them, get their attention before speaking, and keep your mouth visible.
- Turn on captions, and share written notes or agendas.
- Never say “never mind” or “I’ll tell you later.” Repeat or rephrase instead.
- Learn some sign language, and use it.
- Check in if they seem withdrawn, especially after a change in hearing.
When and where to get help
Crisis support that does not need a voice call.
Reach out if
- Loneliness or sadness has lasted two weeks or more
- You are pulling away from people and things you used to enjoy
- You feel hopeless, or like a burden
- You have any thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has options for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. It is free, confidential and open 24/7. Crisis specialists fluent in ASL answer videophone calls.
How to reach 988
- Chat: chat.988lifeline.org
- Text: send any message to 988
- TTY: use your relay service, or dial 711 then 988
- Videophone: call 988 from a videophone (VP) number to reach someone in ASL
📝 Worksheets for this guide
Fill these in privately in the app. Your answers stay on your phone.
Sources
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), NIH (2024). Quick Statistics About Hearing, Balance, & Dizziness
- World Health Organization (WHO) (2026). Deafness and hearing loss (fact sheet)
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD). Position Statement on Preservation of Mental Health Services for Deaf People in an Integrated Health Care
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD). Position Statement on Mental Health Interpreting Services with People who are Deaf
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (ADA.gov). ADA Requirements: Effective Communication
- Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). Hearing Loss Association of America
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Loss
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 988 Frequently Asked Questions
- Missouri Department of Mental Health, Deaf Services. 988 Videophone Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
This guide is for education and self-care. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. Please talk to a counselor or clinical provider about your health. Reviewed October 2026.
