Is this a joke ?
No joke. Rabid deaf activists even think the implant procedure that allows people to hear is some sort of cultural genocide. On a personal not I once worked for a state rehab agency. We had a client who at one time was a nurse. She got the implant (We did not pay for that, by the way) I helped her purchase a stethascobe that she could use in conjuction with her implant. You would not believe what something like that costs. But she is once again working. And paying taxes.
Now for my funniest “deaf, but not really” story. Guy came in the office one day. Asked him what he needed. He writes on a pad “Need to see a counselor”. I did not need to write ‘cause he appeared able to read lips. I set him up to see our counselor who specialized in deaf & hearing impaired. Meeting over, the guy leaves. Counselor calls me into his office. “Interesting guy” says he. “How so” says I. “He’s not deaf” says he. “What! Then what was with the pad?” says I. “He only speaks when he can do so in bible verse” says he. “Going to make him a client?” says I. “Yep” says he. “Pysch eval first?” says I. “Oh yeah” says he.
They are completely serious. In 2107 when a history book covering the decline and fall of Western Civilization is written (in Arabic?), this will probably be included.