Deaf History Month

• American Sign Language
• 11th Grade

Deaf History Month

History of Deaf Education

1. What do you know?

2. What do you want to know?

4.What did you learn?

Cures from the past

Artificial Eardrums

Around the 1800s, many companies argued that their artificial eardrums would cure deafness. However, today, we know this was only a ploy to obtain a long list of customers willing to spend all of their money. The eardrums were usually metal and sat directly inside the ear. The companies then said the instruments were allowing sounds to resonate throughout the ear canal.

Isolation

Isolation is one example of a treatment that did more harm than good. Some doctors thought that isolation would be a successful treatment because they thought it would give one’s ears the rest they needed in order to recover from the every-day use. However, this method would only lead to high-stress levels. In addition, if the isolation was prolonged, the long-term health effects could result in heart disease or even mental decline.

Inserting Objects into the Ear

In the past, many people have tried inserting a variety of objects into the ear in order to cure their ailment. Many believed that the objects inserted would eventually cause the ear to lower its pressure. Some used twigs, others tried more sophisticated means. In Beethoven’s case, his doctor suggested that he use almond oil earplugs. Unfortunately, it goes without saying that this method was an unsuccessful one. Today, we know that the use of any objects not meant for the ear is not a smart move! Doing so often results in surgical removal and does irreversible harm to the eardrum in most cases.

Jumping

One of the most desperate attempts for a cure was voluntarily jumping from high places. They thought that this might release any pressure within the ear. The only thing that came of this, however, was a couple of broken bones!

Today 4/25

-On your own, continue to watch through the following youtube clips. When you are done, make sure you fill out the learned portion of the chart you wrote in your ASL notebook. 

-If you do not have headphones, try your best. You can click the CC (closed captioning) button on the bottom of the video.

-When you finish this, you can quietly work on homework or read. 

See you Wednesday!