Guide to Learning Sign Language

Sign language is a great tool to have that helps you with communication when you are dealing with hearing loss. It helps to bridge the communication gap so that you won’t miss out on interacting with your friends and family. Here is all the information on sign language, its benefits, and how you can learn it.

What is Sign Language?

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) defines American Sign Language as a complete, complex language that employs signs made by moving the hands combined with facial expressions and postures of the body. It is the primary language of many North Americans who are deaf and is one of several communication options used by people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Benefits of Sign Language

The main benefit of sign language is that it helps those who cannot hear communicate. However, there are many other benefits of sign language in addition to communication, including:

It reduces frustration in communication.
It builds better relationships.
It increases self esteem.
It helps to grow strong language and listening skills.
It aids in the development of all communication skills
It helps your brain stay sharp.
It has the ability to increase IQ.
It facilitates bilingual learning.
It allows you to communicate in noisy environments when hearing is more difficult than usual.

How to Learn Sign Language

Sign language is easy to learn and there are many different methods for learning it. Here are some ways you can learn in addition to some online or digital resources for learning and keeping it fresh in your mind:

Hire a private tutor.
Take a class at your local school or community center.
Take an online course.
Watch videos online.
Read a how to book.
Ask a friend who knows sign language to teach you.
The ASL App: http://theaslapp.com/
Basic ASL: First 100 Signs: http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/concepts.htm
SignLanguage101.com: http://www.signlanguage101.com/
Sign Language Apps: ASL Coach, ASL: Fingerspelling, and Marlee Signs

Hearing, Balance & Speech is Here to Help You through All Aspects of Hearing Loss

If you have any questions about aural rehabilitation or hearing loss, please contact us at Hearing, Balance & Speech to schedule a hearing assessment with one of our experienced hearing care professionals today. We are here for you, to help with all aspects of your hearing health.