Imagine opening a book to find 30% of the words clearly printed, and the remaining 70% of the words smudged. That’s often how lip reading feels—it’s 30% clarity and 70% guesswork, with the reader piecing together the conversation based on context and prior knowledge.
And that’s without any accents complicating matters!
Growing up, I was a proficient lip reader. But it was still a struggle to grasp the entirety of a conversation. However, understanding was always a challenge, even with familiar faces. Starting a conversation with strangers, particularly if they had been talking before I joined in, could drop my comprehension as low as 10%.
Lip reading is, by far, one of the least efficient forms to communicate. And it’s because of this, I want to share 4 lip reading myths you may not know:
Myth 1: All deaf individuals can lip read.
The assumption that every deaf person can lip read is like presuming every person who wears glasses can read tiny print. Just as visual clarity varies, so does the ability to lip read. While some deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals have honed this skill over years of practice, others may find it more challenging or might not have had the same opportunities to learn. The clarity and articulation of the speaker play more of a role in the reader’s ability to lip read than the reader’s skill because lip reading requires that the speaker enunciate and be direct in their speech.
Myth 2: Lip reading multiple overlapping conversations is possible.
Picture trying to tune into multiple radio stations at once, with each playing different songs. That’s the overwhelming auditory equivalent of attempting to lip read several conversations at once. In deaf culture, cues such as raising a hand or a slight tap often signal a person’s intent to contribute to the discussion. These cues meant that only one person “speaks” at a time so everyone else can follow the conversation.
Myth 3: Looking away while speaking doesn’t impact comprehension.
Movies and TV shows are filled with dramatic scenes, but they often play fast and loose with reality. Deaf characters like Daphne in “Switched at Birth” seemingly possess a superhuman ability to understand speech, even when speakers divert their gaze or obscure their mouths. But in the real world, direct communication is the bedrock of understanding. Just as it’s challenging to interpret someone’s words in a noisy room, understanding speech without a clear view of the speaker’s lips is next to impossible for many.
Entertaining episodes of shows like “Seinfeld” might have us believe in the powers of lip readers who can understand every word, even with a scarf obscuring the speaker’s mouth. However, true lip reading is an art that relies heavily on clear visibility. Facial expressions, mouth movements, and even the shape and fullness of one’s lips all play a role in the lip reader’s understanding. Obscuring any of these elements can render spoken words nearly incomprehensible.
Myth 4: All deaf individuals either lip read or use ASL.
Humans are diverse, and the deaf community is no exception. While many might picture a binary world where deaf individuals either lip read or sign, the reality is a spectrum of communication preferences. Assumptions can be detrimental. Some deaf people might prioritize lip reading due to their upbringing or because they interact more with the hearing community. Others might lean heavily into ASL, especially if they were part of a predominantly signing community or family. And, factors like education, exposure, and personal experiences play a pivotal role in shaping these preferences. Just as no two people communicate exactly the same way, the modes and methods chosen by deaf individuals can vary widely.
The bottom line? Lip reading is an intricate art. While it provides a bridge for many deaf individuals to connect with the speaking world, it is by no means a simple or universal solution. Every person, every communication method, and every experience is unique. And while lip reading is undeniably challenging, it’s essential to approach it—and those who use it—with understanding and respect.
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