Structural communication barriers shape how people with hearing loss navigate conversations
Original framing: “How conversation works – and why people with hearing loss rely more on their powers of prediction” — The Conversation - Global
The article omits the role of systemic ableism in communication design, the historical marginalization of sign languages and Deaf culture, and the potential of assistive technologies to be reimagined as tools of empowerment rather than accommodation. It also lacks input from Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities on how to redesign communication systems inclusively.
Medium structural omission detected in mainstream coverage.
This narrative is produced by academic researchers and disseminated through platforms like The Conversation, which often prioritize digestible science over systemic critique. It serves the interests of auditory-centric institutions by framing hearing loss as a personal adaptation challenge rather than a structural exclusion. The framing obscures the role of power in shaping communication norms that privilege certain sensory modes over others.
In many non-Western cultures, communication is inherently multimodal and context-dependent, often incorporating visual and spatial elements. These systems offer alternative models for designing inclusive communication environments that go beyond auditory norms.
The systemic exclusion of people with hearing loss from mainstream communication systems is rooted in historical ableism and sensory privileging.