American Sign Language:  Understanding what it is like to be Deaf/hh:

 

What does it mean to be "Deaf/hh?"

A person "hears" a variety of "tones."  I don't hear well in the range of tones where you hear typical voiced conversation.  Whether I can understand what a person is saying depends on a variety of communication factors:
 

I am Deaf in these situations:

I am Hard of Hearing in these situations:

•  background noise •  light behind speaker •  mustache •  speaker has accent •  speaker has speech impediment •  Air Conditioner is running •  Small child's voice •  Hearing Aid battery is dead •  Person on TV is "off camera or not facing the camera." Also if the TV is more than a few feet away. •  Person is more than a few feet away or speaks at below 60 decibels •  Person covers his mouth or turns to write on the blackboard. •  You are standing on my right (85 decibel loss) •  It's time to take out the garbage

•  Quiet environment •  Appropriate lighting •  Clear view of mouth •  Amplifier on phone •  I have my hearing aid on •  Standard American English articulation •  Person is within a few feet and speaks at 60 decibels or above. •  Person isn't chewing gum, smoking, or eating. •  Person on TV is facing the camera, his mouth movements can be seen, and the volume is at 70 decibels •  Some song lyrics if they are dominant and the graphic equalizer is set at a reverse "cookie bite." •  you are standing on my left  (55 decibel loss) •  It's time to eat.

It has to do with a "cookie bite" audiogram: