1. Some Deaf people can perceive a bit of sound, but it is very difficult to understand specific
sounds like speech when there are other sounds going on. Therefore, reducing the signal-
to-noise ratio by turning the volume down on background noise, while increasing it on
targeted sound, is key. Do you ever experience signal-to-noise problems in certain
situations? When do you have trouble hearing someone speaking to you? Do you have
ways to "turn down" the background sound? To help someone with hearing problems
understand what you are saying, what are ways to change the signal-to-noise ratio to help
them hear you?
2. Technology helps all of us in our daily lives. Deaf people value meeting in person over
conversing through technology and if using technology, they much prefer to use video
relay services so they can converse in their most natural language-ASL. Do you find it
more natural to have a conversation in person or over the phone, versus texting? Does
writing in English feel like "natural" language to you? Discuss how you feel about
conversations through the phone or text versus being there in person. Compare this to
how conversing through technology works for the Deaf