Self-assessment of selected interpersonal abilities in hard of hearing and deaf adolescents

An understanding of the ability of persons with hearing impairments to interact socially needs to consider the impact of their disabilities on communication with non-disabled persons. This study examined the responses of 197 hard of hearing and deaf adolescents and a control group of 53 non-disabled young people between 14 and 18 years of age to statements in a questionnaire designed to elecit how they might behave in different contexts, with additional, independent assessment of the subjects by teachers and other educational staff. Results suggest that biological differences alone do not account for differences in self-conception found between those with hearing disabilities and those without, nor between different subgroups of those with hearing disabilities. Other cognitive, emotional, motivational and social factors also play a part. This opens up the possibility of developing new rehabilitation and training programmes to help young people with hearing disabilities acquire more positive self-assessments.