Deaf identity and life satisfaction in an audism world

Abstract

This is a qualitative study investigating the relationships between Deaf identities and life satisfaction in an Audsim world. This study aims at reflecting the complicated identity issues and challenges that faced by the Deaf or Hard of Hearing people in Hong Kong. There are 18 participants in two groups: nine Signing Deaf and nine Oral Deaf. This study use the thematic analysis and there are 4 main themes: 1) Audism and Deafness; 2) Identity of Signing Deaf and their coping strategies; 3) Identities of Oral Deaf and their coping strategies; and 4) A journey of Deaf identities discovery. These 4 themes are expected to reveal the impacts of Audism society to the identities, self-esteem and life satisfaction of D/HH people with Deaf different identities and how they coping with every challenges.