Some famous deaf people are known for overcoming obstacles and excelling at their professions. Other famous deaf people not only did this, but are best known for making significant contributions to the deaf community. Both sets of famous deaf people are excellent examples of how deafness does not need to be considered a disability.

Douglas Tilden was a famous deaf sculptor. Marlee Matlin, Linda Bove, and Phyllis Frelich are famous deaf actresses. The famous inventor, Thomas Edison, was hearing impaired. Juliette Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts, was deaf. Granville Redman, Louis Frisino, and John Brewster, Jr. were two famous deaf American artists. Connie Briscoe, Raymond Luczak, and Stevie Platt are famous deaf writers.

Laurent Clerc became a famous deaf person through his work with Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet to found the first American School for the Deaf. The American School for the Deaf was the first school in the United States dedicated to the education of deaf children. Andrew Foster was the first deaf African American graduate of Gallaudet University, then called Gallaudet College, who went on to start many schools dedicated to deaf education in Africa. I. King Jordan became the first deaf president of Gallaudet University.

Rocky Stone was a retired deaf government employee who founded the organization that became the Hearing Loss Association of America. The organization was originally Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH). Not only did he found and work as director of this organization, but was also involved with many other organizations relevant to hearing loss.

Helen Keller is perhaps one of the most famous deaf people. She was deaf and blind and learned to overcome these obstacles to become an actress, writer, and public speaker. Hellen Keller wrote books that described her life as a deaf-blind person.

Was Beethoven deaf? Many people mistakenly think that the famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven was deaf throughout his life. Beethoven was in his early thirties and already an accomplished composer when he started losing his hearing. By the time he was 42, he was completely deaf. However, Beethoven continued with his music contributions even after he lost his hearing.