The key to this is research, in my opinion. All kinds of useful research you can get.
There are forums on the net where I’m sure a lot of people would be willing to answer any questions you might have. People usually like to talk about their experiences. Google “deaf forums” or “deaf community” for a good place to start.
Have some interesting links I found
- Deaf Characters In Fiction and Drama
- Deaf In Literature (The following bibliography includes: novels; short stories; poetry; young adult and children’s books; plays; criticism and anthologies; biographies and autobiographies by and about people who are deaf. All of them may be found in theRIT Library.)
- Deaf Characters In Novels and Short Stories
- Characteristics and Charecterization
- Writing Dialogue for a Deaf Character Forum
- Advice on writing dialogue with signing characters
- 10 Things you should never say to a deaf person
- 5 things I like about being deaf and5 Thinds I dislike about being deaf
- How different is the world without hearing
If you have more, feel free to reply or send them to me!
Overall, I think being deaf should not be the only thing your character has or is. There’s always more to people than just their disabilities or problems. People adapt, they don’t let that one thing define them. I personally like the idea of interviewing people willing to answer any doubts you might have, because in the end they know better what it’s like. Also reading good stories on the matter, and overall, learning all you can.
Best of luck,
-Alex