Deaf and Hard of Hearing Culture

Amany Abouelkhir

Professor Sternberg

Speech 100-1114

May 24, 2016

            “Fundamentals of Speech”

I learned that fundamental of speech have different roles of public speaking in demonstration, informative my story and persuasive. The speech course is designed to help me understand and manage communication apprehension associated with speaking in public. I learned how to research, select, organize, and deliver a public speech. The fundamental of speech develop standards in public speaking by analyzing and controlling the speech situation. One important thing that changed my life was learning different ways to communicate so I could be confident in my speaking skills. My accomplishment is communication.

Growing up, I faced a lot of obstacles, but with the help and support of my family, teachers and doctors, I was born premature and deaf; my right ear was closed and my left ear was fine. I had to learn different ways to express myself so I could be confident in my communication skills. When I was seven years old, I got a cochlear implant. This implant actually delivers sound to my ear so I could hear. I go to the audiologist every six months to check my hearing and communication skills. The audiologist asks me a word and I have to respond back with the correct sound. They test my hearing and I have to raise my hand if I can hear the sound. I communicated with my family by speaking because my family does not know sign language. 

One experience that influenced me was when I went to a writing workshop. There was no sign language interpreter at the workshop and it was a challenge for me to understand the speakers. There was a woman who read her own poetry. It was so deep and touching. She impressed and inspired me. When I was next to read my poem, I felt shy and nervous. The audience encouraged and supported me. When I was done speaking, I felt good and willing to do more. The workshop and it was a challenge for me to understand the speakers. I started writing poems, a story, and a blog. When I present my poem, I felt good and willing to do more. Another workshop that influenced me was about public speaking. It taught me how to be prepared as a speaker. It is important information for the future. I had experience going to speech therapy in school. Speech therapy helps me improve my speaking skills and lip reading skills. Speech therapy helped me overcome my communication fears and feel more comfortable talking to people.

When I joined the girls track team, I did not have an interpreter. I went to different tournaments to compete against other schools. I also worked at a school internship. At my internship, there were no interpreters. I had to communicate with the boss, my coach and the other workers on my own. The school helped guide me toward the future and encouraged me to communicate with people out in the world. In school, my friends and interpreters taught me sign language. In school, I communicated by signing and talking. I learned sign language has become another tool for me to communicate with deaf and hard of hearing people. I realized it is my responsibility to get clear information.