Historical and Conceptual Foundations of Attitudes Attitudes toward Deaf persons represent a complex and historically evolving area of psychological inquiry, often reflecting broader societal beliefs about disability, communication, and minority status. The conceptualization of deafness has dramatically shifted over centuries, moving from viewing it as a divine punishment or an insurmountable tragedy to recognizing it […]
Defining Auditory Disability and Handicap: A Conceptual Framework The conceptualization of auditory impairment, disability, and subsequent handicap requires a precise understanding of terminology, historically rooted in models developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Initially, the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH), published in 1980, provided a foundational framework distinguishing these three distinct […]
The Interplay of Psychological Factors and Auditory Health The relationship between psychological well-being and auditory health is deeply complex and bidirectional, moving far beyond the simple acknowledgment that hearing loss can cause frustration. A comprehensive understanding requires recognizing that psychological states—such as chronic stress, generalized anxiety, and pre-existing mood disorders—can significantly influence the perception, processing, […]