Hard of Hearing, Hearing Impaired, or Deaf?
I was once told that the politically correct way of referring to a person with a hearing loss is to say they are “hard of hearing.” To say that a person is “hearing impaired,” however, was interpreted as derogatory. I really don’t even remember who first told me that, but it’s something I have heard numerous times over the years and I’ve always been somewhat puzzled by it.
As a hard of hearing person myself, I can’t say that I’m bothered when people refer to me as hearing impaired. Hard of hearing, hearing impaired, and even deaf all are accurate definitions of my hearing loss, in my opinion.
When I take my hearing aids out, I am pretty much deaf. The world becomes silent. I can’t hear voices, the telephone, or the vacuum. I can hear the dog bark if he’s in the same room with me, and an occasional loud thump, but that’s about it.
With my hearing aids on, I can hear voices and follow conversation so long as I can see the faces of the people conversing (I rely on reading lips to an extent). I can hear the telephone ring and the clicking of a keyboard. Sometimes I can even hear my cat meow. But I don’t hear these sounds the way normal hearing people do. Hearing aids don’t correct a hearing loss the way that glasses or contacts correct vision. So even with my hearing aids on I am still hard of hearing or hearing impaired.
I believe that some people feel the label “impaired” implies that something is wrong or abnormal with a person. Well, the truth is that something IS wrong with me. I can’t hear very well. My ears don’t work properly. However, I strongly feel that any kind of disability or impairment does NOT make anyone any less of a person. And I believe that disabled/impaired people should have equal access to the same things “normal” people have access to.
So call me hard of hearing, hearing impaired or deaf. I’m completely comfortable with any of those labels and I feel they are all appropriate descriptions of who I am. 
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I don’t think any of them are derogatory, it is what it is. I have many deaf relatives. I don’t think they’ve ever been offended by being called deaf, geez I hope not.
Anita
We all have something wrong with us. No one is perfect. I get frustrated with people who put down my friends that do have a hearing loss.
I have several friends with a hearing loss and I’m closer to each of them than most of my other friends that don’t have a hearing loss. Most people that have accepted it are happier people than those of us that have all our senses.
Why is it ok for someone with an eye problem to be called sight impaired, but it’s derogatory to use the term “hearing impaired” I’m now travelling down this path due to MS and while I’m nowhere near needing hearing aids yet (though they wouldn’t help in my case), this has started to become a constant annoyance.
Laura, I certainly don’t understand why folks get upset over being called hearing impaired. I refer to myself as hearing impaired all the time. The term “hard of hearing,” however, kinda makes me feel like a senior citizen, lol, but I’m not bothered by that term either. It is what it is.
Call me deaf, call me hearing impaired, call me disabled, call me differently able – I do not care. All this silliness with “correct” labels and people trying to be politically correct I watch from within my silent world and I laugh because none of it is important. My name is Judith, I cannot hear, that is all.
I think I can shed some light into this ongoing confusion…
I am deaf (notice “d” not “D”) and am reading this book Inside Deaf Culture written by Carrol Padden (PhD, Professor in Department of Communications at UC San Diego) and Tom Humphries (PhD, Associate Professor in Department of Communications at UC San Diego) that address this problem. In the 1960s and 70s, as Deaf and ASL users were embracing their culture and allowing it to go public, the term “deaf” was replaced with “hearing impaired” in the English language. While Deaf people sign themselves “DEAF”, it cannot be literally translated this way in English as there is cultural meaning behind this sign that gets lost in the English language. While Deaf people are deaf, this is not their only characteristic.
Even though there is no precise translation for “DEAF”, deaf people still prefer to retain the English word “deaf” instead of “hearing impaired”. “Hearing Impaired” has no historical ties to ASL and deaf people and furthermore Deaf people don’t believe they have an impairment in hearing which is why they consider themselves “not hearing”. You don’t call those in a wheelchair “walking impaired” or those who wear glasses “seeing impaired”. Also because of this cultural difference, many deaf people see a “hearing impaired” person as someone who is a senior citizen and has lost their hearing due to old age. This is another reason why they take offense to that term for younger deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
There is an incorrect notion that Deaf/deaf refers to those who cannot hear at all and hard of hearing or hearing impaired refers to those who can hear some. The deaf community knows that everyone has varying degrees of hearing loss but this doesn’t seem to be a concept that the hearing community can grasp yet. Just like there are varying degrees of eyesight and strength of glasses, there are varying degrees of hearing loss and strengths/types of hearing aids and cochlear implants. In a different book I read Alone in the Mainstream: A deaf woman who remembers public school written by Gina Olivia, Gina said that generally hard of hearing refers to those who have mild to moderate hearing loss and deaf (or Deaf if culturally deaf) refers to moderate to profound hearing loss. All types of deaf and hard of hearing people are forced in oral school, public schools and the hearing world. ALL of them struggle, even those who have mild hearing loss because they still miss whats going on around them in the hearing world and many of them complain of not fitting in, loneliness, outcasted, etc. Basically they are the ugly ducks in a pond of beautiful geese or at least led(or brainwashed) to believe that
The major reason why “hearing impaired” is still used is because doctors, audiologists and other hearing professionals have yet to be educated about these politically incorrect or correct terms. A group of people should be labeled as they want to call themselves, not as the oppressive majority groups deems to be correct. Now I know many oral people call themselves “hearing impaired” because they might not know ASL and have no ties to Deaf Culture but they should learn the historical background of all these terms as well as Deaf Culture to have a better understanding of the Deaf community and perhaps themselves.
I am culturally deaf and even though I grew up oral calling myself “hearing impaired”, I prefer the deaf world and community. I have insights on both sides and I continually research online and read books to be able to educate people with sources and experience.
Being deaf is no big deal nowadays, so long as your doing your part as a person.We might not hear but still we’re humans who cares and is very sensible to the needs of others, that’s what so important, I guess.
I have progressive hearing loss and am pretty much completely deaf without my hearing aids. I don’t mind being called hearing impaired and that’s usually how I refer to myself. I don’t call myself deaf, because I can hear with amplification, although many of my hearing friends refer to me this way. I hate it when people call me hard of hearing; that sounds like something you call an old man who is loosing his hearing and hasn’t realized it yet. But honestly, it doesn’t matter what others are calling me as long it’s not “stupid.”
You can read my story on my new blog at http://www.lifeinmute.blogspot.com
Love your blog and plan on adding it to my page soon.
All my hearing was destroyed following a major head injury 11 years ago. I do not care if people call me deaf, hearing impaired or whatever else. I leave all that silly political correctness to those with hearing and time to waste. What I do care about is when people are being condescending to me thinking that they are “being thoughtful” THAT drives me nuts.
Hello,i just came across this site accidently,and a lot of what you said has happen to me,actually i lost my phone service ,no job.but looking,And i am a retiree.I do wear hearing aid,but it was in need of repair and my dog ate it up while i was reading one day.So i now need another.But i and all who are like me under stand what you are saying.Public tty phone are very very scares i think that is how you spell that,so i was online looking for a locatiion in my area ,so no avail.But Tom sound angry i think because he think deaf or hearing impaired people are looking for something free and want a group to come with them,i however know thats not true,I was married when my hearing got to a place i needed to wear a hearing aid i was in my 20,s.My then husband said he would hang him self if he lost his hearing..Down the road he was embarresed around me and we divorce eventually ,So bottom line when they laugh i just look at them hard because they are an ass and God said let the ignorance be ignorant.in Zechar in the Bible.So i dont show my upset.
I think this whole country has gotten entirely too politically correct for their own good. It is completely ridiculous that people are worrying about how they are referred to when hearing loss is concerned. Great article though!
Here is an additional resource about the genetics of Hearing Loss: http://www.accessdna.com/condition/Hearing_Loss/270. I hope it helps. Thanks, AccessDNA
I’m not too fussed how people refer to me in terms of my hearing loss.
I guess it’s actually quite hard for other people to know how to refer to a HoH person in a way that doesn’t offend them. Forgetting PC for a minute, I bet a lot of people are just plain worried that they’ll say the wrong thing.
Nice blog you have here, mind if I link to you from my site?
Cheers,
Steve.
I have 120 decibel loss in both ears and call my deaf. It happened when I was older and I have no change for a CI or aids. I am a member of the Deaf community and am trying to become fluent but don’t think I ever will be. It ticks me off when the Deaf call me hard of hearing when I am deafer than some of them but what can I do . I think hearing impaired is a medical term but I introduce myself as deaf because lets face it I am as deaf as a post. lol
Hi Steve, I would be honored if you link to my blog. Thank you for visiting and to everyone who has joined in on the discussion.
Viki
People are entirely too worried about political correctness these days. My goodness, I have several deaf/hard of hearing/whatever friends and they don’t ever seem to mind.
This is an important issue that needs the support of EVERYONE, deaf, hard of hearing and hearing! This is important for kids and adults, anyone needing hearing aids! Let’s all show our support!
I agree with Hearing Loss’s post – I feel we have come so much farther that hearing loss for many is just a part of life and nothing to be ashamed of or treated differently!
Just my 2 cents.
I have 120 decibel loss in both ears and call my deaf. It happened when I was older and I have no change for a CI or aids. I am a member of the Deaf community and am trying to become fluent but don’t think I ever will be. It ticks me off when the Deaf call me hard of hearing when I am deafer than some of them but what can I do . I think hearing impaired is a medical term but I introduce myself as deaf because lets face it I am as deaf as a post. lol
Hearing loss, impairment or deafness will affect how you live your life but it doesn’t have to define it. It is a challenge that makes communication more difficult but nothing to be ashamed of. Thanks for your honest postings.
Hey guys,
I was researching online and came across this site. I was led to it by watching Deanne Bray on Heroes. I am deaf, and was not raised in Deaf culture. My family and I never realized I was deaf, until this past year. I have hearing aids now and am living in a new found world. I always felt separated, and different because people always called me stupid and ditzy for not being able to keep up in a hearing world. I guess, the reason why I am posting, is because I feel the need to be reassured. I have taken 2 semesters of ASL in my university, and while I realize I will never be as fluent as a person who grew up with it, (sometimes I feel like they would see my signing as “baby signing”, haha), I am hesitant to try to “fit in” to the Deaf culture. That maybe they wouldn’t accept me because I wasn’t raised Deaf. Anybody feel like sharing some love here? Or even just an honest opinion of the situation?
I would appreciate any feedback anyone would like to leave. Thanks. I spread the ASL “love” to my friends and family as I learn new signs.
Sincerely,
deaf in a hearing world
-Erika
I am the mother of a young woman I raised as a hearing person. As a young mother, in a rural American county, I had no idea she could not hear well. I especially didn’t realize her loss progressed as she grew older. She’s 21 now, diagnosed as HOH/Deaf near a year ago. I will forever remember watching her hear the rain fall for the first time. I cried like a baby because MY baby had missed so many things. I’m certain all of you have. She’s blessed with hearing aids now which make those, not so small, miracles happen everyday. I’m posting in response.to.her comment of.her feelings of reservation and how she just wants to be accepted in a world with people who deal with the same particular life trials retarding her hearing. (Or the lack thereof. ) I say to her, and all others who feel the way she does, jump in with both feet! Both the hearing and the not so hearing will have people who will accept you and some who won’t. I believe you help members of.each distinction by bringing your personality and humor with you. Your willingness to learn from the more experienced “learners of hearing” as well as willingness to.help “teach hearing who don’t listen” (like I was and am still at.times). You share the love everyday, regardless of whether its about hearing, not hearing, or any and.all conditions in any given day. You teach us to.listen by sharing sign. You teach us to.hear by helping us understand. I believe no matter which group your with, as long as you remain true to yourself and share the respect you do (and you do) you’re always going to.find where you belong. You’ll most likely find its as it always has been, an actual mixture of abitities and personalities within each group you are with. I’ve learned the beauty of sign and the significance of taking time.to.be a more.polite speaker. My “child” taught me…and im glad for this site she led me.to and I hope she finds people.with hearing trials like herself who are willing to “share the love and knowledge” to help her feel a bit more connected in our great big world, bit by bit, each day. I am the mother of a youung woman who strives to find humor in what scares her most. Heroes may have led her here, but she is my hero everyday! Share the love!!
Erika,
I was in the same journey as you 23 years ago when I first picked up ASL. I am classified as “hard of hearing” and had grew up not signing at all even though I had learned fingersepelling at age 9.
You will meet some deaf people that don’t accepted you because you don’t signed fluently. Don’t let it stop you because geeez you’re now learning and using their language. You will meet some wonderful folks who will accept for who you are regardless of your signing ability. Those who are very picky? They are deaf family and have a lot of pride. That is good to have pride but not to the point when they have to discriminate others.
I now teach ASL which is quite something since I did not sign at all 23 years ago. I have many good friends. I signed well enough that people had assumed I went to school for the deaf. Yet when I speak, people aren’t sure if I really do have a hearing loss, just maybe an accent from another country?
Being deaf/HOH shouldn’t be a barrier among those who do signed, some you will get along and some you will hate with passion LOL. We’re all unique and have our own talent besides having the ability to sign fluently. Hope that answers your question. Do not give up with ASL and you will meet people that will accept you.
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