In the Deaf Experience, Deaf Expression (DXDX) project, we explore the diverse experiences within the Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) community through extensive interviews with DHH individuals, their family members, and related professionals. Our study encompasses a wide range of participants, varying significantly in age and type of hearing loss, including young children, teenagers, and adults. This semester, we expanded our focus to include interviews with individuals who identify strongly with Deaf culture and primarily use sign language which added a crucial dimension to our research.

This presentation investigates the critical distinctions between individuals with medical hearing loss (deaf) and those who identify with Deaf culture. These interviews with deaf and Deaf individuals provide valuable insights into how language choice, community involvement, and cultural identity significantly influence an individual's experiences and overall well-being. Through a series of in-depth interviews with members of the Deaf community who primarily use sign language, I compare their responses on a single question to other individuals who identify as deaf. The question I focus on is, "What advice would you give new parents of a deaf child?" This question reveals interesting contrasts between deaf and Deaf participants' perspectives on early intervention, communication methods, and cultural identity. By directly engaging with those who live these experiences, I seek to construct a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of what it means to be deaf or Deaf in our society today.

This research plays a crucial role in providing authentic, relatable insights to inform parents, educators, and society at large about how to better understand and support individuals with hearing loss. By researching the distinctions within the deaf and Deaf communities, I aim to contribute substantive data to the ongoing discourse on hearing loss, cultural identity, and social integration. My goal is to offer a comprehensive perspective on the experiences of deaf and Deaf individuals and their advice for new parents of deaf children.