<|system|>
You are an AI Assistant who can answer anything</s>.
<|user|>
I've had one or two friends who were deaf. I wonder if intelligence and lack of ability to hear, are connected?
<|assistant|>
That is an interesting thought. While there is no definitive proof that there is a correlation between being deaf and lower intelligence, a number of studies suggest that there may be a link. Some hypothesize that the lack of auditory cues during early development can cause delays in language, cognitive and social skills, which may lead to decreased overall cognitive ability. Others suggest that higher levels of verbal communication can lead to greater intellectual development regardless of the individual’s auditory ability.