4 ms·

Please consider using "hearing impaired" as a more inclusive term, or ideally "deaf and hard of hearing". Their are plenty of people who can still hear some th

Please consider using "hearing impaired" as a more inclusive term, or ideally "deaf and hard of hearing". Their are plenty of people who can still hear some things but are not entirely deaf.

elil17 6y ago
Of Deaf and hard of hearing people I know, the young ones (less than 50) all really dislike the term "hearing impaired" because it implies that they are impaired (in the view of many, it's hearing people who are impaired because we don't know how to communicate using sign languages). Many also believe that "Deaf" should be capitalized because of the Deaf community's shared language and culture.
- hobs 6y ago
  In my experience this is pretty contentious depending on who you talk to in the community, some people don't buy into the deafness as a benefit and its definitely a political issue.
  - onorton 6y ago
    I wonder if there is an equivalent political thing for the blind or for the partially vision impaired. I've only read or heard about these kind of divides (e.g. rejecting fixes for the condition, argument about whether it is an impairment) when it comes to hearing.
- gspq 6y ago
  “Hard of hearing” is more neutral and better accepted.
- retrac 6y ago
  As someone younger who is HoH, I have no objection to the term hearing impaired. Though I can understand why someone might find it derogatory as it does, indeed, emphasize the lack of ability. But that's actually why I use the term myself. I have found that euphemisms, including "hard of hearing" often don't successfully communicate what needs to be conveyed. "Hard of hearing" just doesn't seem to sink in. Even "very hard of hearing" doesn't. Often the other person thinks it must be like struggling to hear the high notes in music or something. While I'm not deaf (and definitely not culturally Deaf), I generally can't understand spoken language without amplification. This often seems to surprise people, even when I've told them ahead that I'm hard of hearing. "Nearly deaf" or "mostly deaf" would be accurate enough, but it feels odd and I don't like it. "Severe hearing impairment" communicates my experience, and also the accommodations I may need from others, quite effectively.

Please consider using "hearing impaired" as a more inclusive term, or ideally "deaf and hard of hearing". Their are plenty of people who can still hear some things but are not entirely deaf.

elil17 6y ago

Of Deaf and hard of hearing people I know, the young ones (less than 50) all really dislike the term "hearing impaired" because it implies that they are impaired (in the view of many, it's hearing people who are impaired because we don't know how to communicate using sign languages). Many also believe that "Deaf" should be capitalized because of the Deaf community's shared language and culture.

hobs 6y ago
In my experience this is pretty contentious depending on who you talk to in the community, some people don't buy into the deafness as a benefit and its definitely a political issue.
- onorton 6y ago
  I wonder if there is an equivalent political thing for the blind or for the partially vision impaired. I've only read or heard about these kind of divides (e.g. rejecting fixes for the condition, argument about whether it is an impairment) when it comes to hearing.
gspq 6y ago
“Hard of hearing” is more neutral and better accepted.
retrac 6y ago
As someone younger who is HoH, I have no objection to the term hearing impaired. Though I can understand why someone might find it derogatory as it does, indeed, emphasize the lack of ability. But that's actually why I use the term myself. I have found that euphemisms, including "hard of hearing" often don't successfully communicate what needs to be conveyed. "Hard of hearing" just doesn't seem to sink in. Even "very hard of hearing" doesn't. Often the other person thinks it must be like struggling to hear the high notes in music or something. While I'm not deaf (and definitely not culturally Deaf), I generally can't understand spoken language without amplification. This often seems to surprise people, even when I've told them ahead that I'm hard of hearing. "Nearly deaf" or "mostly deaf" would be accurate enough, but it feels odd and I don't like it. "Severe hearing impairment" communicates my experience, and also the accommodations I may need from others, quite effectively.