Sasha Millora-Brown

Mr. Edmondson

World History Hns.

30 May 2017

Independent Research Paper: Sounds of Silence

In history, there have not been very many deaf and hearing impaired musicians

who have been celebrated, but there is actually a strong record of deaf individuals who

have been very successful. Until recently, musicologists, along with the majority of the

world, believed that deaf people could not take part in any kind of musical enjoyment.

The belief that your sense of hearing is needed to be able to make, appreciate, and

interact with music is now considered a false assumption. First, it should be made clear

that there are very few people on the world who are completely deaf. (Darrow 1) In

reality, people who are considered deaf suffer from a wide range of severe hearing

impairment. Many can hear, but the range of frequencies is more limited. Deaf people

have had to learn how to deal with their hearing loss in ways that normal hearing people

cannot even begin to imagine. By looking for different methods of enjoying music,

society has begun to expand the idea that deaf people can be musicians. In fact,

musicologists have reached a new conclusion that states: “Musicology gains from

deafness.” (Holmes 14)

Some famous deaf and hearing impaired musicians in history include German

composer, singer, and music theorist Johann Mattheson (1681-1764), French composer

and pianist Gabriel Faure (1845-1924), Norwegian pianist and composer Agathe Backer

Grondahl (1847-1907), English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958).

Perhaps the most famous deaf musician was Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827).

Beethoven was a composer and pianist in Germany. Beethoven himself recorded his own

hearing loss as early as 1798. Over the years, his hearing loss got worse and he almost

committed suicide. Beethoven eventually accepted his condition. Even though he stopped

performing, he still composed many works including the famous Ninth Symphony, plus

he even conducted occasionally. Beethoven is one of history’s most brilliant musicians,

and we are fortunate to have many written records in the form of letters, journals, and

conversation books that help explain his thoughts and feelings as he dealt with his

disability. Although becoming deaf was a major setback in his career, Beethoven still

managed to be a successful composer. (Upton and Smallwood 1)

After reading through many articles, I came to the understanding that there are

very few people in the world who are completely deaf. Most people who are considered

deaf have an incredibly damaged sense of hearing. Hearing aids and other devices helped

the more severely hearing impaired hear very loud noises. According to the “History of

hearing aids,” the ear trumpet was the earliest hearing aid and dates back to the 1600s.

Beethoven used an ear trumpet. Hearing aids continued to evolve. Modern hearing aids

began to be made alongside the invention of the telephone. They further developed when

computers and electric keyboards were invented. (Wikipedia) Within the last decade, a

hearing aid developed specifically for musicians helps focus on high and low frequencies,

pick up subtle ambient sounds, and deliver them to the user in a custom-fit silicone

earpieces. (Kontney 1) In addition to supplementing hearing, other senses can be trained

to be heightened and used to help replace the lost sense. People with hearing disabilities

rely on their sight and hands for many things in their lives. Learning to detect sudden
movements and vibrations is a critical part of their everyday lives. Because they have

increased their sensitivity to feeling vibrations, the vibrations that some instruments make

can be a major part of interacting with music for a deaf person, rather than only listening

to music. (Darrow 3) Technology that takes other senses into account has improved an

incredible amount in recent history. Devices including bed-shaker alarms, closed-

captioning for television programming, and “audio loops” made for auditoriums were

invented specifically to help deaf people navigate through life and stay connected to

“normal” entertainment. (The Futurist 1) “Smart fabric” technology is a current project

being developed for the market. Textiles are imbedded with conductors and this is being

used in a product called “Sound Shirt, which connects to a computer system that converts

sounds from a live performance into tiny vibrations in specific parts of the shirt. For

example higher frequencies can be felt near the neck; lower frequencies in the torso.

(Electronics for You 6) Other technology allows the deaf to experience music visually.

One deaf musician created and algorithm that converts music—notes, chords, etc.—into

an LED light show. (Scully 1)

The deaf and hearing impaired have made a big impact on the world. Deaf people live in

the same community as us. Historically, they were segregated because people didn’t

know how to interact with the deaf. People who don’t have hearing problems don’t

understand the difficulty that deaf people deal with every day. This leads to a sense of

isolation by deaf people. In the article “Sounds in the silence: research on music and

deafness”, Alice-Ann Darrow, the daughter of a deaf father, admits that, “Looking back, I

realize that my father was often isolated in social situations-- even at the dinner table, as

evidenced by frequent comments he made that were totally unrelated to the table
conversation”. (1) People with normal hearing make assumptions about the deaf and their

abilities. History has seen the success of deaf people in their endeavors. As a result,

society has slowly become more understanding of the deaf community. We know that

this is true because of things like legislation that protect the rights of the disabled. Society

has established schools like Gallaudet University and national organizations like the Deaf

Professinal Arts Network (D-Pan) that are dedicated to the deaf. A good example of how

our society has come to value the deaf and music is that the United States government has

committed funds to establish a Music Appreciation curriculum for hearing impaired and

profoundly deaf. (Seminara 3)

In reality, the deaf people who have become successful musicians in history have made

important contributions to today’s world of music. This fact continues to impact the

world as deaf musicians are encouraged to pursue their passions today. It begins at a very

young age as educators have integrated teaching objectives that specifically focus on

hearing impaired students. (Darrow) As these students grow into adults, they have

become modern day contemporary artists who now have the chance to perform. Mandy

Harvey is a deaf singer who completely lost her hearing her freshman year of college.

Mandy is able to interact with music through the vibrations of the bass and she is able to

use muscle memory from her previous singing career to help her map out what she was

singing. (Lammle 1) Sean Forbes is another deaf musician. Because both his parents were

in bands, he grew up exposed to music. Forbes chooses instruments that create vibrations

that would be easy for him to feel while playing. He started with the drums, then he

gravitated towards the guitar and bass. The “room-shaking beat” helped him stay on track

and follow the music. (Henderson 1) Beethoven’s Nightmare is the first all-deaf band in
the world. Ed Chevy (bass guitar), Bob Hiltermann (drums), and Steve Longo (guitar) all

went to Gallaudet University. Many people agree that the only thing separating them

from being a “normal” band has been the use of sign language on stage. One thing that all

of those people have in common is that they all interacted with music. A final deaf

musician worth mentioning is Evelyn Glennie, who has won a Grammie, one of the

highest acknowledgements of the music world. (Holmes 1) Music isn’t the only career

that people assume they need hearing to be successful in. Gwen Dobie is the director and

choreographer for Out of the Box Productions. Dobie is hearing-impaired and uses the

vibrations of music to complete her job. According to Opera Canada, “Dobie’s

direction/choreography was sexy, quirky and risky, and asked a lot from her performers

in terms of physical contact.” (Out of the Box 1)

Learning about how deaf people can still make it in the music business pushed me

to look at different people’s lifestyles with a different perspective. I learned that although

deaf people can’t hear the music, they can still feel and interact with music. It is amazing

to see that people don’t let their deafness keep them from their dreams. Beethoven is not

only famous composer who was a critical influence in music history, but he also lived a

hearing impaired life. Beethoven successfully built a career as a composer. Harvey,

Forbes, and Glennie are people alive today who are doing what some people would have

thought impossible. This knowledge helps me realize that everybody has gifts and can

overcome obstacles in their lives. Researching this topic confirms that thinking outside of

the box can lead to success. You have to believe that anything is possible.

As our society learns more about deaf people and the challenges that they face,

people have an easier time interacting with deaf communities. Our technologies improve
our communication every day, which results in deaf people assimilating into everyday

society and not feeling so isolated. Ironically, the technologies that help the deaf

communities make, interact and appreciate music can also benefit people with normal

hearing abilities to interact with music in fuller and richer ways. In other words, it can

help everybody. The knowledge gained from this project proves that increasing our

understanding of other people helps increase our tolerance and appreciation for people

who are different from ourselves. We can find common ground and ultimately bring

communities closer together.

Studying world history is important for many reasons. Learning about other

communities is a key aspect of understanding others. At first we may seem different, but

many times we discover similarities. When we discover these things, we can develop a

deeper appreciation and tolerance for people who are different from ourselves. We can

take this exercise and apply it to learning about our classmates’ independent study

projects. Ultimately, we can make connections between our topics and build a stronger

appreciation for our world.

Angelina’s independent study was on the history of American Sign Language.

After reading her essay, I learned many things about the history of deaf people and the

importance of sign language in their lives. Before sign language was created and

developed, the deaf were often mistreated and persecuted. It wasn’t until the 1500’s when

prejudices against deaf people started to diminish. Juan Pablo Bonet of Spain wrote and

published the first book on deaf education in 1620. This opened the door to deaf people

having access to an education equal to the hearing community. A French priest, Michel

De L’Eppe, established a standardized alphabet in sign language and created gestures to

symbolize important ideas in their everyday lives. In the 1800’s, Tomas Hopkins

Gallaudet’s interest in helping deaf people prompted him to travel from America to

Europe. While in Europe, Gallaudet met a deaf man named Laurent Clerc. Gallaudet

returned to America with Clerc at his side. While back in America, they establish a

“unique form of sign language” known today as American Sign Language. Gallaudet

University was later founded by Gallaudet’s son. Roughly seventy million people use

sign language as their first language. Many people are introduced to sign language in

Preschool. Deaf people aren’t the only disabled people to use sign language. People with

Down’s Syndrome are often taught sign language because it is easier for them to

communicate with others.

American Sign Language has a strong relationship with how deaf people interact

with music. Sign language is used by many people who interact within the deaf

community as a means of communication. Deaf singers use sign language to show what

they are singing when on stage and in music videos. Another connection is that many

people believe that if you are hard of hearing, you are incapable of doing and being

“normal”. Sign language helps knock down the barrier between the hearing and the deaf.

Sign language helps people in their everyday lives and interacting with the hearing

community. Many people in the deaf community are able to have jobs that most people

believe hearing is required to successfully work, however, today’s technology used a

variety of engineering to connect to other natural senses. Technology has expanded the

deaf communities ability to interact with and express themselves to others.

Gwendolyn’s independent study project was on how fidget toys affect the ability

to focus. Fidget toys are meant to occupy people’s hands so that their brains can focus on
something else. Fidget toys are growing more and more popular, however, depending on

the design, they can have different effects. For example, some people find that fidget

cubes have been found to be helpful because they “provide(s) focus methods that do not

simulate all of the senses” in the same way that fidget spinners do. Overall, they aren’t a

universal “fix”. Studies show that fidget toys are often times more of a distraction than

they are helpful. People who possess fidget toys are usually more caught up with the fact

that the toy is supposed to help them concentrate. Because of this, the fidget toy ends up

distracting the user rather than helping them. When people think of or reach for their

fidget toys, they are remembering the joy that the toys bring to them. This causes

individuals to wish for the devices at the wrong moments. People are not aware of the

complications that fidget toys bring to our everyday lives.

Gwendolyn’s topic on fidget toys relates to my topic of how the deaf can interact

with music, because both topics involve people who are trying to come up with ways to

help others and improve their everyday lives. People are searching for a way for a better

and more advanced way for the deaf to interact with music. The same can be said for the

people who thought up fidget toys. Fidget toys were meant to help people with ADHD

concentrate on work and school by spending their extra energy subtly fidgeting with a

toy. Although fidget spinners are not as effective as had been hoped, the concept of

overcoming a disability by using technology, engineering, and design that most people

would consider impossible is a huge similarity between the two topics. Before proven

wrong, people believed that the deaf couldn’t interact with music because they can’t hear.

However, deaf people can interact with music through their ability to feel the vibrations

guided by the help of technology. The goal of the fidget toys and deaf friendly music
technology was one and the same. They wanted to help people with disabilities be

“normal”. This required many people to think outside the box and come up with ways of

solving problems that people perceived as too difficult or impossible to solve.

Learning about other communities and social groups is valuable for me because

the information that I gain gives me a better understanding of people who are different

from me. Learning about how deaf people communicate and use technology to their

advantage gives me a better appreciation of how deaf people deal with their everyday

lives and don’t let their hearing disability hold them back from being the best that they

can be. I have grown to understand and respect their work ethic and abilities. Although

deaf people don’t have their hearing to assist them, they work hard to accomplish just as

much as people who do have their hearing, if not more. Deaf people all over the world

have the ability to inspire people who are able to hear. This information helps me realize

that we aren’t as different as everyone thinks we are. When considering the contributions

of engineering-- in fact all technology-- by thinking outside the box, we make the

impossible possible. For me personally, I have a strong interest in pursuing a career in

teaching music to special needs students or perhaps music therapy. The knowledge I have

gained from this research project has inspired me to believe that someday I will come up

with something incredible for those in my care.

Researching how deaf people cope with their everyday lives can have a real

impact on society. Sign language had a positive impact on how deaf people were treated.

Before sign language was created and developed into a language, deaf people were

treated like they were inferior beings. Learning about the similarities and differences

between different communities share can improve our society because people from both
communities will gain a better understanding and tolerance for the people who are

different. Improving our personal tolerance can help abolish social tensions between

groups of people in our society. Eliminating the tension in the air can lead to a more

sincere appreciation for other groups. Perhaps this could even make us better people and

lead to a healthier society.

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