How to sign
Hearing in ASL
Hearing (a hearing person) circles an index finger in small forward circles in front of the mouth, which comes from the idea of someone who talks.
- Single sign
- One hand
- Handshape: Index finger (1 hand), pointing sideways
- In front of the mouth
- Deaf World Basics
How to sign hearing
- 1
Hold your index finger horizontally in front of your lips.
- 2
Circle it forward in small loops, two or three times.
- 3
Note that it has nothing to do with the ear; the sign is about speaking.
Common mistakes
- Pointing at the ear. That would be closer to HEAR or LISTEN, not the identity sign HEARING.
Questions about “Hearing”
Yes. This clip shows the common ASL sign for hearing. Like spoken languages, ASL has regional variation, so you may see small differences from signer to signer.
Guide
Deaf Culture
What every hearing beginner should know before their first signed conversation: Deaf with a capital D, name signs, eye contact, interpreters, and the signs for all of it.
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