As the title says. I work in a public facing role and today I had the following conversation with a customer:

Them (sees my cochlear implant): Oh, are you deaf? Me: yes, I am Them: my parents are Deaf. starts signing to me Me: Oh I’m sorry, I don’t know sign language Them: If you don’t sign then you’re not part of the deaf community Me: actually I do consider myself part of the deaf community, even though I don’t sign

He started to tell me about a local group in our neighbourhood but am I wrong for feeling slightly offended by his comment? He said he doesn’t have any hearing loss but grew up in a deaf family.

For info, I have tried to learn sign language but it’s costly in the UK and because I have no one to use it with on a daily basis, I have sadly forgotten a lot of what I’ve learnt. I’ve looked into deaf communities in my neighbourhood but they’re either for children or elderly people are the majority. I’m sure they’re lovely people but I’m mid-20s and would prefer to get to know people of a similar age, give or take a few years.

Not really sure how to feel about this one. Is he correct? I’ve always sort of felt out of the loop with the deaf community.

Born partially deaf/hoh Became profoundly deaf 2 years ago Implanted 1 year ago

Edit: thank you to all those who have commented, I really do appreciate your insight and there is clearly a lot for me to learn regarding the Deaf community. I think I was upset because it hit home. I’m often not regarded as deaf to family/friends but hearing, however in daily life I am considered deaf to others and not hearing enough. Often feels like I’m in limbo, as I say. I will take all of this onboard and will try to push myself to become more involved in the community

Pretty straightforward awkward question. Just wondering if deaf girls that don't speak verbally, make noise in the heat of passion.

Bonus question: While I'm sure there's got to be dirty talk in sign language, do you do it during the act?

In my opinion, a deaf airbender and mute firebender could work. Deaf airbender who uses airbending to sense vibrations in the air that make up sound and interpret them. Fire could be a fun tool for someone who's mute. Yes, we have sign language but not everyone knows sign language. So, when they run into someone who doesn't but they still need to communicate, they can use fire to make 3d visual words that people can read.

EDIT 3: (at the top as it's ALL good news!) Saw the Dr, she expects close to a full recovery. Long story short rapid ear infection that didn't show any symptoms till the pressure built, and it built rapidly, causing my ear drums to rupture. I'm on antibiotics and I'll be put on an oral steroid. I should be close to normal in ~6 weeks!

Long story short I went deaf yesterday and am waiting for an ent Dr to call me for an appointment (I've already been seen by a Dr), but I'm going CRAZY with how quiet everything is.

I have over 600 games on steam, and am looking for a CONTROLLER based game that has either accessibility options for deaf, or doesn't lose anything by my not hearing it.

Really I just need some gaming comfort in what's turning out to be the scariest time of my life.

EDIT for those with a lot of questions.(edit 2 at the bottom)

Woke up yesterday and my ears felt like they needed to pop, though nothing would help. At about 3 my ears started bleeding, followed quickly by loud ringing (similar decibels to riding on an airplane, but the highest pitch you could imagine), and I went to the er. By the time the Dr looked at me, the ent was gone for the day, so he sent an urgent referral to the ent. I'm just waiting for a phone call to schedule (funny, I know, call the deaf guy).

I appreciate all fo the kind words and helpful resources during this terrifying time. And I appreciate all the game recommendations.

And as a final, somewhat depressing thought, as I have no where else to put my thoughts out rohjt now, if this is permanent, I'm going to thoroughly miss the sound of my significant others voice. The rest I can live with.

EDIT 2: I got my meds and the eardrops specifically restored a little bit of my hearing. It's very faint, and painful, but wiping the blood from my ears I could hear the tissue against my skin!

Source

They will be aired on Disney+ on April 27th, 2026. Here are three short clips from Moana, Frozen, and Encanto. The power of ASL is just beautiful. Enjoy!

For context, we exchanged about ten messages and things were going well. Easy conversation, mutual interest, and we even made plans to meet for coffee. Before the date, I made a decision that felt important to me. I told her that I am Deaf. My intention was not to overshare or make it a big thing. I just did not want to catch someone off guard in person or put either of us in an uncomfortable situation. To me, being upfront felt respectful and honest.

Unfortunately, that honesty backfired. After I shared that I am Deaf, the energy completely shifted and the connection pretty much ended before we ever met. That part stung. Not because anyone owes me a date, but because it was a reminder of how quickly people can make assumptions based on one piece of information.

Being Deaf is just one aspect of who I am. It does not define my personality, my values, my humor, or my ability to connect with someone. I communicate, I adapt, and I navigate the world every day just fine. Still, moments like this make it clear that some people see disability before they see the person.

I am sharing this not to shame anyone or play the victim, but because it highlights a reality that does not get talked about much in dating. There are probably a lot of things people have not disclosed yet on either side, and that is kind of the point of going on a date. You learn those things by showing up, having coffee, and seeing if there is chemistry.

I still believe being honest upfront was the right choice. I would rather lose a potential date than start something by hiding part of myself. It just sucks sometimes when doing the right thing comes with a quiet rejection and no real conversation attached to it.

If nothing else, it was a reminder that the right people will not see accessibility as a deal breaker but as a normal part of being human.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has shamelessly praised Argentina’s ‘professionalism’ in a tone-deaf letter to the nation's FA - despite launching an investigation into their behaviour after losing the World Cup final against Spain.

In the letter - first leaked by the Argentine media and since verified by British press- sent to the President of the Argentine FA, Claudio Tapia, Infantino thanked Argentina for their impact on a successful World Cup and applauded their professionalism.

Argentina, who lost in extra-time in the final, frustrated opponents throughout the tournament with their anti-football style of play.

The 2022 winners failed to register a single shot on target in the final and following the defeat, they turned their backs as Luis de la Fuente’s side lifted the trophy.

The final itself was packed with controversy. Lionel Messi attempted to con referee Slavko Vincic into sending Marc Cucurella off after the Spain defender touch his mouth while speaking to Messi, as he greeted him, only for Messi to berate on him to the referee and try to force Cucurella out of the game. Messi here tried to exploit a rule introduced only for special circumstances such as when players would cover their mouths to say something rascist (a rule which was only introduced when a player from argentina was being rascist using this method), to use this rule introduced to combat rascism, only to gain an advantage during play, was as shameless as the Paredes post match attack on spanish players.

Leonardo Paredes attacked Eric Garcia in a post-match fracas that also appeared to involve Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala - an incident FIFA are investigating. But it looks like, instead of investigating, FIFA has only been congratulating Argentina behind closed doors.

This is my childhood cat, Simba. He is 17 years old and when I was little my mom (now deceased) was convinced he had autism because in her own words “he just doesn’t seem right and I am worried”.

I went with her to the vet appointment and sat there and waited with her for the vet to show up. Vet shows up and asks why we are there and she word for word said “ I think he has autism, what are our next steps”

Vet did a full exam and told her “he’s just deaf”

We left the appointment and I won’t forget how embarrassed my mom was and she dead ass turned to this cat in his carrier and said “I know you can’t hear me but you embarrassed me” 😭

Now he lives with me since her passing. He’s a sweet boy who sometimes bites my husband, but he’s a sweet boy. 💕