Meaning: Partially or wholly lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing; unable to hear.
Regional/phonological variation.
Old ASL sign (found in older generations prior to about mid-20th century): obsolete.
Meaning: absolutely deaf; not hearing at all. [Video courtesy of Jonathan Pokorny (coda), 2018.]
Related signs: DEAFHOOD, Deaf culture, Deaf Gain.
For a goose-bumping true story, enjoy the video story "Deaf or Dead" by Jolanta Lapiak.
"My eye is my ear. My hand is my mouth." -- Meme, 2000s.
The painting shows the ASL word "deaf".
