Hi y-all -
 
I have only met one deaf ferret and he was a really sweetie!  However, I
am deaf myself.  I don't feel my hearing or rather lack of therefore is
defective or impaired (broken), it just works different <smile>
 
(Hey - BIG - this is sort of ferret related, hope you let it get by, 'cuz
it may help to clarify some things)  [Sorta... ok :-)  BIG]
 
Some numbers 90% of deaf/hard of hearing children are born to parents with
normal hearing.  Most deaf parents prefer to have deaf children.  This
information comes from National Association of the Deaf (NAD).  Guess
maybe a deaf ferret would want deaf kits <smile>.  I think momma ferret
could recognize her kids by smell as well as sound.  Ferrets have a better
sense of smell than humans.
 
Yes, deafness can be genetic (as shown in the population at Martha's
Vineyard) or occur later in life.  Perhaps an accident or from exposure to
loud noises.  I read where about 40% of the population over the age of 30
have some degree of hearing loss.  Again this information came from NAD.
Wonder if exposure to loud noises damages the hearing of ferrets?
 
Deafness is something we can live with - some adaptations are needed.
Perhaps flashing the room lights to get the attention of the individual
who is deaf.
 
Yes, I would adopt a deaf ferret, but I don't think SuperSnooper would
like a buddy.
 
Nan and SuperSnooper
[Posted in FML issue 3116]