Electroencephalogram and task performance data were collected from three groups of young adult males: profoundly deaf Ss who signed from an early age, profoundly deaf Ss who only used oral (speech and speedreading) methods of communication, and normal hearing Ss. Alpha and Beta brain wave patterns over the Wernicke's area were compared across groups by task. Differences in brain activities patterns were observed between deaf and normal as well as between signer and oral deaf Ss. These results suggested a difference in brain organization across groups. Hemispheric difference in brain activation was observed only for the Mooney faces task. Findings indicate that if deaf persons have consistent error-free language codes early enough in life they could develop near-normal cognitive abilities. (Author/CL)