Abstract
This paper deals with the influence of hearing impairment on human development and the position of Deaf people in society in the context of high-risk life experiences which may lead to substance abuse. Substance abuse among people with hearing impairment could be considerably influenced by communication insuficiency, social isolation, troubles with identification, a high rate of violent and vice crime victimization, a lack of information about substances, bullying and discrimination, and the high-threshold nature of services for the hearing-impaired population.
Reviewing recent studies on substance abuse among hearing-impaired people, the paper provides the latest data about the prevalence of substance abuse in this population. It further discusses the aforementioned social phenomena in the context of selected developmental theories, as well as suggesting links between developmental psychopathologies and different theories of the onset and development of substance abuse.
The findings could help in establishing an effective system of services and ensuring a better approach to hearing-impaired people in prevention and substance abuse treatment facilities.