The Cognitive, Psychological and Cultural Impact of Communication Barrier onDeaf Adultsâ Content of Speech in Iran

It is an oversimplification to consider signing simply as a substitution for oral communication in the manner that, for example, French may be considered as a substitute for English. The use of signing is a significant cognitive, psychological and cultural determinant in the development of the user. A deaf person communicating with a hearing person is not only dealing with a physical but also, a cultural barrier. This article examines the problems resulting from deaf people’s inability to communicate effectively across these barriers. It reports on a study of 32 participants, aged 18-55, from all 31 provinces of Iran. The participants had hearing losses ranging from mild to profound. Some participants had hearing parents others, deaf. The result of the study indicates that there are several barriers that affect the flow of communication and that these barriers create severe problems in the areas of education, emotions, and culture. The study suggests the families, educators, and all people related to the deaf; that signing is of significant importance to breaking the barriers leading to deaf people’s development in cognitive, affective, social, and cultural functioning.