*TLDR: Don't use it.
By William G. Vicars, EdD
The term "hearing-impaired" means "to be partially or completely deaf." (Source:
Lexico)
The term "hearing-impaired" connotes (implies / gives the impression of /
suggests) being an inferior (or impaired) version of a Hearing person.
When discussing or referring to the Deaf Community it is strongly recommended
that you avoid using the term "hearing-impaired."
Those of us who are culturally Deaf consider the term "hearing-impaired"
offensive. We prefer to think of ourselves as "people of the eye" (or in other
words, excellent versions of "visually-based" human beings). Our label for
ourselves is "Deaf."
If you are writing about or discussing Deaf people, instead of using the term
"hearing-impaired" you can/should just use the word "Deaf." If you feel an
overwhelming need to cover your bases go ahead and use the phrase "Deaf and
hard-of-hearing." However you do not need to include the term "hard-of-hearing"
when referring to the Deaf community. Why? Because the term "Deaf community" is
an umbrella term that includes those who are "hard-of-hearing."
Not acceptable: "the hearing-impaired community"
Minimally tolerable: "the deaf and hard-of-hearing community" (lowercased)
[Note: Journalists often have editors and bosses who feel they must follow the
"AP Stylebook."]
Better: "the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community"
Progressive: "the Deaf community"
Woke: "the Deaf"
Some individuals or organizations (unfortunately) use the phrase: "Deaf and
hearing-impaired."
Tip: Don't do it.
The phrase "Deaf and hearing-impaired" is NOT advised for two main reasons:
1. "Hearing-impaired" is an umbrella term that includes both Deaf and
hard-of-hearing. Deaf are (technically) hearing-impaired so you are being
redundant. It is the equivalent of saying, "Labrador Retrievers and dogs" or
"bananas and fruits."
2. The term "hearing-impaired" is eschewed in the politically aware Deaf
Community. The word "eschew" means "Deliberately avoid using; abstain from."
(source: Lexico)
If you are a researcher and face an extreme need to discuss the biological or
physiological aspects of being "physically deaf" you should still gravitate
toward using the term "Deaf" if possible -- or "Deaf and hard-of-hearing"--and if
necessary (to differentiate aspects of being culturally Deaf from aspects of
being physically "deaf") use terms such as "deaf" (lowercased), "level of
hearing," "hearing loss," or even "individuals with hearing loss," -- but not
"impaired."
Summary:
Do NOT use the term hearing-impaired when discussing Deaf people. Strike "hearing-impaired"
from your vocabulary.
NOTES:
* TLDR stand for "Too long, didn't read it."
*
Lexico in this article refers to the online dictionary "Lexico.com"
-----------------------------------
DISCUSSION:
A person reading the article responded (in an online group) that he/she/they
self-describe as "hearing impaired" because to them it simply means that their
hearing is...well, "impaired." To them the phrase "hearing impaired" doesn't
mean anything else about them is "impaired" and they don't feel that by their
use of the term means that they are telling anyone that they inferior in any
way.
The commenter indicated that they "...don't feel anyone has the right to insist"
they "use a different term for" their "hearing loss." The commenter went
on to humbly indicate that their comment was just their opinion
and personal choice -- as well as to indicate respecting that others feel
differently.
RESPONSE from Dr. Bill / paraphrased:
Thank you for sharing.
Rights are negotiated. We have only those rights which we negotiate (through a
spectrum of actions ranging from politics to war).
If you start blogging or authoring in the Deaf community an individual may
indeed choose to assert their preference to self-label using the term
"hearing-impaired."
What tends to happen then is that the Deaf Community (or at least many within
the Deaf Community) choose to not read the individual's materials and/or
actively criticize or campaign against the individual.
Thus it isn't a matter of me "insisting" you not use the term "hearing-impaired"
but rather a matter of me advising you that there is a huge community of people
who feel a certain way about the term "hearing-impaired."
What you do with that advice is, of course, your own business.
If you want "business" to be good (sales, readership, etc.) in the Deaf
community you now know my advice.
Readers of your comment now know your "vote."
We all get the opportunity to vote. You voted. That makes you a contributor.
(Thumb up!)
Knowing of dissention (different opinions) helps us all to work on our tolerance
-- so again, thanks!
QUESTION: Is it okay for someone who is medically labeled "hard of
hearing" to say they are Deaf?
ANSWER:
The answer is going to depend on who you are and who you ask.
Self introspection questions:
1. Do I sign like a Deaf person?
2. Do I mainly hang out with Deaf people?
3. Do I approach life like a Deaf person?
4. Would I rather marry a Deaf person?
5. Would I be 100% okay with and proud of having a Deaf child?
6. Do I look back and wish I had gone to a Deaf School?
7. Did I or do I wish I had gone to Gallaudet University?
8. When I want someone's attention do I tend to try to get that attention via
voicing or do I prefer visual methods?
Are you are prevented by circumstances from doing the above but would do them or
feel that way if you were not prevented by circumstances?
If you don't know sign and don't approach life as a Deaf person -- and have not
yet made significant progress towards learning sign and learning how culturally
Deaf people respond and feel about the world -- then no, even if you are
hard-of-hearing with a significant hearing loss --you should generally not call
yourself "Deaf."
If however you do know sign and approach life as a Deaf person then in general
if you ask an emotionally secure, identity-secure, long-term, well-socialized
member of the Deaf community if you could call yourself Deaf -- it is my belief
that most (but not all) would likely tell you, "Sure."
It doesn't have to be one or the other. You can use a longer phrase to
describe yourself. For example you could say, "I'm becoming Deaf."
Also see: "HEARING-IMPAIRED"