But accurate statistics on hearing loss are very difficult to obtain. Most of the research and statistics gathering rely on self-identification and an inconsistent use of terminology and definitions. It is very common for people to deny their hearing loss. In addition, many hard of hearing people who have adapted well to their hearing loss, their hearing aids and other assistive listening devices may report that they have no difficulties hearing and are therefore excluded from the statistics. Then term 'deaf is generally used to describe individuals with a severe to profound hearing loss, with little or no residual hearing.
Some deaf people use sign language to communicate.
Others use speech to communicate, having learned to use their residual hearing and hearing aids, technical devices or cochlear implants, and lip reading or speech reading. Frank Duchoeny has set up a fund for Ryan with the help of the Jewish Community Foundation, who will manage the fund and hand out tax receipts for contributions. Ryan Duchoeny and send them to 1114 Mill Hill Place, Laval, Quebec, H7W IR1, From where they will be forwarded to the Foundation. The operation, which can now be performed as day surgery, will be carried out at the Allan Fletcher Memorial Institute in Vermont. With files from Johns Hopkins, Statistics Canada, and The Canadian Hearing Society.