deaf-mutism

pathology

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Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "deaf-mutism" is considered offensive and outdated, as it implies that deaf individuals are incapable of communication. It historically referred to the condition of being both deaf and unable to speak.12

Modern understanding recognizes that profound deafness, especially when present from early childhood without specialized training, can lead to the absence of oral language development. However, deaf individuals have diverse communication methods, including sign language, braille, and tactile speechreading. The focus is now on supporting communication and recognizing the varied identities within the deaf and deaf-blind communities.34

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- speech disorder
  Speech of the hard of hearing
  Deaf children have traditionally been educated in special schools for the deaf, where the oral method (showing how to shape the oral structures for each speech sound) of teaching speech has competed with the older manual method of allowing the deaf to communicate through their…
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  Deaf children have traditionally been educated in special schools for the deaf, where the oral method (showing how to shape the oral structures for each speech sound) of teaching speech has competed with the older manual method of allowing the deaf to communicate through their…
  Read More