Understanding the Silent World

By Mackie Calbay

Last Thursday, November 18, 2011, there was a research forum on Hearing Impairment entitled "Understanding the Silent World of the Hearing Impaired" presented by the METRO MANILA HEALTH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM (MMHRDC) in cooperation with the Center for Natural Sciences and Ecological Research (CENSER) and the University Research Coordination Office (URCO). This was held at 1:00pm, at Waldo Perfecto Seminar Room, SPS Building, Room 102, De La Salle University, Taft Avenue, Manila.

The Welcome Remarks by Bro. Narciso S. Erguiza, FSC, President of De La Salle University Manila was followed by Dean Maria Veronica Templo-Perez, School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and her inspiring sharing on Understanding the Deaf Community from the Deaf Perspective.

Aside from this sharing, Researcher Dr. Kathleen G. Felizar-Lopez, Department of Otorrhinolaryngology of Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila presented her findings on the Accuracy of Siemens Hearcheck Navigator as a Screening Tool for Hearing Loss.

Dr. Charlotte Chiong, Assistant Director of Philippine National Ear Institute shared her thoughts on the subject. Next, the Open-Forum was moderated by Dr. Madelene Sta. Maria, Executive Director of University Research Coordination Office, De La Salle University Manila. And was closed by an Inspirational Message by Dr. Marivic V. Iriberri, Education Supervisor II of Commission on Higher Education -NCR.

The discussion was interesting because it tackled the concerns of Deaf persons as seen by medical professionals with a medical perspective on Deafness and educators with a socio-cultural perspective. They discussed the empowerment of Deaf children and adults and helping them to become independent, productive, and active members of society. In the end, even if these two perspectives are very different, they agreed that what is important is upholding the rights of Deaf people, and once they have decided how to engage their Deafness we have to be respectful of that choice.