Deafness and its treatment in ancient civilisations

Abstract

Documentation of the causes and treatment of hearing impairment and deafness and of attitudes of hearing people towards the deaf can be traced back to the later millennia before the Common Era (BCE). Within the present paper early reports from Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India, and from the Hebraic and Graeco-Roman civilisations up to the end of the second century of the Common Era (CE) are discussed as well as some of the earliest reports on the Aztec, Maya and Inca civilisations dating from the century following the Spanish conquests in the first half of the 16th century CE. Some common themes throughout these civilisations are noted.

• causes of deafness
• attitudes to deaf
• ancient civilisations
• Mesopotamia
• Egypt
• India
• Hebrew
• Graeco-Roman
• Aztecs
• Mayas
• Incas